Intraocular pressure after cataract surgery measured with Pascal Dynamic Contour Tonometer, Goldmann Applanation Tonometer and Pneumotonometer

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to compared the effect of cataract extraction by phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens implantation on measured intraocular pressure (IOP) using the Goldmann applanation tonometer, the Pascal dynamic contour tonometer (DCT), the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GT) and pneumotonometer (PT) Methods 97 eyes were measured in the operated eye one day before and one day, one week and one month after cataract surgery with the three tonometers, the IOP, ocular pulse amplitude (OPA),and central corneal thickness (CCT) Results Corneal edema induced by phacoemulsification cataract surgery resulted in statistically significant increases in CCT (87,8 μm SD 56,8 ;p< 0,001), Pascal DCT IOP (4,8 mmHg, SD 8,0; p< 0,001),Goldmann IOP (1,4 mmHg, SD 5,1;p<0,015) and OPA (0,9 mmHg, SD 3,5; p< 0,025) but not in pneumotonometry IOP (1,1mmHg, SD 5,3; p=0,065). Changes in IOP measured by GT and PT were less than those measured by the Pascal DCT. The variation between the Pascal DCT (Rho 0,247; p=0,038), and Pneumotonometer (Rho 0,358; p=0,002) was strongly correlated to the change in CCT Conclusion Corneal edema after phacoemulsification cataract surgery increased IOP readings in the three tonometer compared, this increment is bigger in Pascal DCT readings. Changes in CCT are statistically significant associated with increased Pascal DCT IOP readings. Change in corneal biomechanics may in part be responsible for increased in the measured of IOP with Pascal DCT and GT