Purpose: To evaluate short- and long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) changes after temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification in normal eyes.
Methods: The charts of 266 consecutive non-glaucoma patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery were reviewed. We recorded preoperative and postoperative (1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years) IOP measurements as well as anatomical properties obtained using Zeiss Humphrey IOL Master (Zeiss Meditech, Dublin, California, USA).
Results: Mean IOP reduction after cataract surgery was 8.2%, 4.6%, 6.7% and 7.8% at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years, respectively. Lens thickness was the only anatomical characteristic that correlated significantly with IOP decrease after surgery.
Conclusion: Temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification results in a decrease in postoperative IOP that persists for 2 years following surgery.