Beneficial effects of small-incision cataract surgery in patients demonstrating reduced ocular blood flow characteristics

Purpose To investigate intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular haemodynamics following small incision cataract surgery. Methods Systemic and ocular haemodynamics, and IOP, were measured pre-operatively and 1 month post-operatively, in 25 eyes of 25 patients ( mean age 72.6 +/- 7.9 years) scheduled for small incision cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation; these values were compared to an untreated age-matched healthy group ( n = 25, mean age 72.3 +/- 5.0 years). For each eye, the Ocular Blood Flow Analyser (OBFA, Paradigm Inc., UT, USA) was used to obtain measurements of IOP, pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF), pulse volume (PV), ocular pulse amplitude (PA), and pulse rate ( PR). Systemic blood pressure measurements were obtained at each visit. Pre- and post-operative values for the cataract group were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance, and compared to the normal group using analysis of variance. Results Pre- operatively, IOP was significantly higher in the cataract group compared to the age-matched normal control group (P<0.001). Cataract surgery resulted in a significant 16.7% reduction in IOP ( P = 0.001). Consequently, the post-operative IOP in the cataract group was similar to that of the normal group (P>0.05). Both pre- and postoperative POBF and PV values for the cataract group were significantly lower than for the normal age-matched group ( P<0.0125). Small incision cataract surgery led to an 8.3% post-operative increase in POBF ( P = 0.0118) and 15.5% increase in PV ( P<0.001). No changes in PA or PR were evident. Conclusion These data suggest that cataract patients exhibit higher IOP and reduced ocular perfusion characteristics compared to an age-matched normal healthy group. Following cataract surgery, IOP reduced and ocular pulsatility improved.