Changes in Central Corneal Thickness & Intraocular Pressure after Phacoemulsification

Abstract

Objective: To determine the deviations in central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) after phacoemulsification.

Methodology: A descriptive observational study performed at the Institute of Ophthalmology, Liaquat University Medical & Health Science (LUMHS) Jamshoro from March to September 2022. Patients aged 45 years and above, of either gender, diagnosed with senile cataract and undergoing phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were included. Surgeries were carried out under local anesthesia using the phacoemulsification technique, followed by IOL implantation. CCT and IOP were measured before and after surgery using a pachymeter and Goldmann applanation tonometer, respectively. Postoperative follow-up were assessed on day 1, week 1, 4th week and at 6th week. All collected data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Results: Results shows that there is 7.42% enhancement occurred in CCT on first day of surgery as compared to pre-operative mean reading, which also impacted on IOP readings that increased by 6.42% from pre-operative day. But these readings adjusted gradually. The results and findings of the research study exposed that there is not significant change occurred after surgery in CCT and IOP. Only at 1st day of surgery CCT increased due to surgical intervention due to which IOP reading is also found high and it must not be preserved until the central corneal thickness is also considered.

Conclusion: Both CCT and IOP temporarily increase after phacoemulsification, showing the most pronounced rise on the first postoperative day, but gradually stabilize with significant improvement by the first week and near-complete return to baseline by the sixth week.