Effects of phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure and anterior chamber depth

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, in nonglaucomatous patients with cataract, on intraocular pressure (IOP) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) together with quantification of other anterior chamber parameters.Patients and methods A total of 76 patients (100 eyes) with senile cataract were included in this study. All patients had normal IOP. Patients with history of uveitis, glaucoma, other ocular diseases, or surgery were excluded. All patients underwent phacoemulsification with IOL implantation by the same surgeon from May 2018 to August 2018 and were followed up for 1 month. The ACD was measured with the use of Pentacam rotating Scheimpflug camera.Results There was a significant difference between the preoperative IOP (15.24±7.05 mmHg) and the postoperative IOP (11.83±3.75 mmHg) (t=6.259, P<0.01). This was associated with a significant increase in the ACD from a preoperative value of 3.1±0.8 mm to a postoperative value of 3.8±0.8 mm (t=0.870, P<0.0001). There was also a significant increase in the anterior chamber angle from a preoperative value of 34.1±9.3° to a postoperative value of 40.6±5.9° (t=5.760, P=0.003) and in the anterior chamber volume from a preoperative value of 161.3±36.7 mm3 to a postoperative value of 197.1±26.1 mm3 (t=36.200, P<0.0001).Conclusion The present study, performed with the Pentacam rotating Scheimpflug camera system, confirmed that, in normotensive eyes with open iridocorneal angles, the anterior chamber volume and ACD increased and the anterior chamber angle widened following uneventful phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. These changes were accompanied by a significant decrease in IOP 1 month postoperatively. Further studies are required to prove the safety and mechanism of lowering the IOP following phacoemulsification.