Introduction. It has been recognized that cataract surgery leads
to a reduction of intraocular pressure, both in healthy and in
glaucoma patients. This prospective interventional clinical
study aimed to investigate the effects of cataract surgery on
intraocular pressure and its short- and long-term fluctuations
in medically controlled primary open-angle glaucoma patients
and non-glaucomatous patients. Material and Methods. Two
groups of 31 patients (31 eyes) were studied. The observed group
included patients with glaucoma and cataract, and the control
group included patients with senile cataract only. The intraocular pressure was measured three times daily pre- and at 1, 3
and 6 months postoperatively. Results. In both groups, a significant postoperative reduction in both mean and maximum
intraocular pressure. Six months after surgery, in the observed
group the average and maximum intraocular pressure reduction
levels were -2.73 ± 1.91 mmHg and -3.16 ± 2.19 mmHg, and
-2.26 ± 1.71 mmHg and -2.53 ± 1.70 mmHg in the control group.
In the observed group, at 3 and 6 months after surgery, a significant reduction in short-term fluctuations was observed. Six
months after surgery, short-term fluctuations decreased by -1.04
± 2.20 mmHg compared to preoperative. Postoperatively, in the
observed group, long-term fluctuations of average and maximum intraocular pressure were 2.69 ± 2.15 mmHg and 2.88 ±
2.22 mmHg, respectively, and in the controls they were 2.02 ±
1.28 mmHg and 2.42 ± 1.47 mmHg, showing no significant
differences between groups. Conclusion. In patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, cataract surgery results in a statistically significant reduction in both average and maximum
intraocular pressure as well as of short-term fluctuations.
