Effects of cataract surgery on short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations in patients with primary angle-closure and primary angle-closure glaucoma

Introduction. Cataract surgery results in a reduction of intraocular pressure, but it has not been sufficiently investigated how it affects short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cataract surgery on short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations in patients with primary angle-closure, with or without glaucoma. Material and Methods. A prospective interventional clinical study included 31 patients (eyes) with primary angle-closure/primary angle-closure glaucoma (study group) and 31 patients (eyes) with cataract only (control group). All subjects underwent cataract surgery. Preoperatively, and at the first, third and sixth postoperative months, diurnal tension curves for the assessment of intraocular pressure was performed and the mean intraocular pressure and short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations were evaluated. Results. Postoperatively, the mean intraocular pressure and short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations were significantly reduced in both groups. In the study group, the highest mean intraocular pressure reduction was - 4.14 ? 2.50 mmHg, and in the control group it was - 2.44 ? 1.76 mmHg. The highest reduction of short-term fluctuations was - 1.61 ? 3.55 mmHg in the study group, and - 0.55 ? 1.72 mmHg in the control group. In both groups, a significant negative correlation was found between the preoperative and postoperative mean intraocular pressure and short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations. At the end of the research, the number of medications was reduced by 18.4% compared to the preoperative period. Conclusion. Cataract surgery in patients with primary angle-closure/primary angle-closure glaucoma results in a significant reduction of intraocular pressure, short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations, and a reduction in the number of medications.