Changes in Intraocular Pressure after Cataract Surgery in Yaounde

Introduction:Changes in Intraocular Pressure (IOP) have been reported following cataract surgery. This study sought to examine changes in IOP following Manual Small-Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) in a Cameroonian population.

Methods:In this prospective non-comparative case series, the IOP values of all consecutive patients who underwent MSICS at the University Teaching Hospital were recorded preoperatively and at day 3, day 14 and day 60 postoperatively.

Results: This study included 53 patients who underwent MSICS. The patients had a mean age of 59.9 years (range: 7– 85 years). The preoperative mean IOP was 18.6 ± 4.3 mm Hg (range: 10.2–33.4 mm Hg). An IOP greater than 20 mm Hg was observed in 18.34% of the patients before surgery. The mean amount of cohesive viscoelastic substance used for implantation was 0.6 ml (range: 0.5–0.8 ml). An artificial lens was implanted in the posterior chamber in 94.3% of patients and the sulcus in 5.7% of patients. The IOP decreased gradually and significantly from 18.6 ± 4.3 preoperatively to 15.9 ± 3.6 mm Hg at day 3 (P=0.002) and 13.0 ± 2.2 mm Hg at day 60 (P=0.001) postoperatively.

Conclusion:Uncomplicated cataract surgery led to a significant decrease in IOP in most patients. Cataract surgery should be considered first in cases of glaucoma-cataract association.