Effect of cataract phacoemulsification on the dynamics of intraocular pressure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma

Purpose: to assess the dynamics of intraocular pressure (IOP) after cataract phacoemulsification (CFE) with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with cataract in combination with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Material and Methods. The subject of this study was the analysis of IOP after CFE in 65 patients (89 eyes) with cataract in combination with POAG. Among the examined patients, the initial stage of glaucoma was noted in 14.6% cases; developed stage in 55.1 % cases, far-reaching stage in 30.3% cases. IOP was compensated in 84.5% cases, and sub-compensated in hypotensive mode in 15.5% cases. The observation period was from 1 month up to 2 years. Results. In dependence of IOP after surgery, patients were divided into three groups: IOP exactly like in preoperative level, below and above the initial IOP In most cases, at all times IOP corresponded to the preoperative level and after 2 years it was noted in 77.4%. The number of patients with ophthalmotonus below the baseline (1-8 mm) decreased from 63.2% in 1-3 months after surgery to 16.1 % in two years. An increase in ophthalmotonus (by 3-4 mm) was noted in 27% of cases, however, a persistent increase in IOP, which required correction, was 7.9% at stage III of glaucoma, and in the rest of the eyes IOP normalized by itself. Conclusion. According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that there is an ambiguous effect of CFE with IOL implantation on IOP in patients with cataract in combination with POAG, which necessitates further study.