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OphthalmologyOctober 20250 citations

Intraocular Pressure after Phacoemulsification with Retained Lens Fragments in the IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight).

Rothman Adam L, Persad Lomas S, Paranjpe Vikram R, Chang Ta Chen, Lum Flora, Vanner Elizabeth A, O'Brien Robert C


AI Summary

This study found that retained lens fragments after cataract surgery cause higher initial IOP elevation and spikes, especially in males, those with higher baseline IOP, or glaucoma, necessitating vigilant monitoring.

Abstract

Purpose

To describe intraocular pressure (IOP) changes after cataract surgery resulting in retained lens fragments (RLFs).

Design

Retrospective clinical cohort study.

Participants

Eyes in the IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) that underwent stand-alone phacoemulsification resulting in RLFs.

Methods

Daily mean IOP was calculated from postoperative days 1 through 90. An IOP spike was defined as a daily mean IOP > 30 mmHg and > 10 mmHg above baseline IOP within the first postoperative week. A linear mixed model determined when the postoperative daily mean IOP stabilized, and a final mean IOP was calculated by averaging the final daily mean IOP for all eyes from that time point onward. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for demographic and clinical characteristics were calculated with univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Eyes were censored on additional intervention that could affect IOP such as secondary surgery or addition of IOP-lowering medication.

Main outcome measures

Postoperative daily mean IOP and incidence and OR of IOP spike.

Results

Retained lens fragments were noted in 6105 eyes with mean (standard deviation [SD]) baseline IOP of 15.8 (3.6) mmHg. An initial elevation in daily mean (SD) IOP after cataract surgery to 21.2 (8.5) mmHg was noted that gradually declined but remained above baseline IOP until postoperative day 14. The final mean (SD) IOP and weeks until IOP stabilization were 15.0 (4.1) mmHg at 5 weeks. An IOP spike occurred in 766 eyes (12.5%). Factors associated with IOP spike include male sex (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.28-1.70; P < 0.0001), higher baseline IOP (OR, 1.24 per 3 mmHg; 95% CI, 1.18-1.31 per 3 mmHg; P < 0.0001), and glaucoma diagnosis (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01-1.39; P = 0.038).

Conclusions

The initial IOP elevation after phacoemulsification resulting in RLFs is higher than after standard cataract surgery because of an increased incidence of IOP spike. Surgeons should be more vigilant for possible IOP spikes in eyes with higher baseline IOP, male sex, and glaucoma. Eyes without an indication for secondary intervention will show a gradual IOP return to baseline level that will stabilize after an average of 5 weeks.

Financial disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.


MeSH Terms

HumansMaleIntraocular PressureFemaleRetrospective StudiesPhacoemulsificationRegistriesAgedLens SubluxationMiddle AgedTonometry, OcularAged, 80 and overPostoperative ComplicationsLens Implantation, IntraocularVisual Acuity

Key Concepts4

In eyes with retained lens fragments (RLFs) after stand-alone phacoemulsification, an initial elevation in daily mean intraocular pressure (IOP) to 21.2 (8.5) mmHg was observed, which gradually declined but remained above baseline IOP until postoperative day 14.

PrognosisCohortRetrospective clinical cohort studyn=6105 eyesCh19Ch27

The final mean (SD) intraocular pressure (IOP) in eyes with retained lens fragments (RLFs) after stand-alone phacoemulsification was 15.0 (4.1) mmHg, with IOP stabilization occurring at 5 weeks.

PrognosisCohortRetrospective clinical cohort studyn=6105 eyesCh19Ch27

An intraocular pressure (IOP) spike, defined as a daily mean IOP > 30 mmHg and > 10 mmHg above baseline IOP within the first postoperative week, occurred in 766 eyes (12.5%) after stand-alone phacoemulsification resulting in retained lens fragments (RLFs).

PrognosisCohortRetrospective clinical cohort studyn=6105 eyesCh19Ch27

Factors associated with an intraocular pressure (IOP) spike after stand-alone phacoemulsification with retained lens fragments include male sex (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.28-1.70; P < 0.0001), higher baseline IOP (OR, 1.24 per 3 mmHg; 95% CI, 1.18-1.31 per 3 mmHg; P < 0.0001), and glaucoma diagnosis (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01-1.39; P = 0.038).

PrognosisCohortRetrospective clinical cohort studyn=6105 eyesCh12Ch19Ch27

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