Role of Cataract Surgery in IOP Lowering

Abstract

Background:
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the optic nerve, which can be pathologically explained either by direct ischemia by the intra ocular pressure or by direct pressure on the optic nerve fibers as they pass through the lamina cribrosa.
Glaucoma and cataract are frequently encountered in the same patient, there prevalence increasing with age.
Aim of the study:
Determine the effect of cataract surgery on level of intraocular pressure.
Patients and methods:
A prospective comparative study started since October 2012 until July 2015 eighty patients included of four groups 20 normal, 20 with pseudo exfoliation syndrome, 20 with pseudo exfoliation glaucoma, and 20 with primary open angle glaucoma (both types of glaucomas are controlled). Six readings IOP by Goldman applanation tonometry each included eye; one preoperative (phacoemulsification), one post operative 1 week, one month, three months, six month, and one year post operative.
Results:
All of the four included groups get lower intraocular pressure levels after cataract surgery