Intraocular pressure changes after clear corneal phacoemulsification in nonglaucomatous pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE To present a prospective, nonrandomized study of intraocular pressure (IOP) after clear corneal phacoemulsification in eyes with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome. METHODS A PEX group of 39 consecutive open angle, nonglaucomatous eyes with cataract in PEX syndrome, and a control group of 40 consecutive open angle, nonglaucomatous eyes with cataract, were operated on by the same surgeon (D.J.C.), using a standard phaco technique along with bimanual anterior epithelial cells aspiration and, in the PEX group, a bimanual anterior capsule PEX material aspiration. The mean diurnal Goldmann tonometer IOP was calculated preoperatively, after 3 and 6 months and 1 year. RESULTS The PEX group preoperative mean IOP was 18.3 mmHg, with a maximum of 24 and a minimum of 11 mmHg. Three months postoperatively a mean IOP change of -3.7 mmHg was found (p<0.0001), with a maximum IOP change of -10 mmHg. Six months and 1 year postoperatively the mean IOP change was -3.7 (p<0.0001) and -3.5 mmHg (p<0.0001), respectively. The control group preoperative mean IOP was 13.9 mmHg, with a maximum of 18 and a minimum of 10 mmHg. Three months postoperatively a mean IOP change of -0.9 mmHg was found (p=0.028), with a maximum IOP change of -3 mmHg. Six months and 1 year postoperatively the mean IOP change was -1.4 (p<0.001) and -0.48 mmHg (p=0.11), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Phacoemulsification with anterior capsule PEX material aspiration significantly reduced the mean diurnal IOP in the PEX group lasting 1 year postoperatively.