Efficency and Safety of Pressure Relief using the Paracenthesis in Cases of Elevated Intraocular Pressure following Cataract Operations

¹Nikolic S., ²Bleckmann H.,
¹Schlosspark-Klinik, Augenabteilung (Berlin)
²Schloßpark-Klinik, Abteilung Augenheilkunde (Berlin)

Background: Following a cataract operation, complications include an elevation of intraocular pressure leading to pain, discomfort and a decreased visual acuity. A systemic medical treatment for raised intraocular pressure displays difficulties in patients with multiple cardiovascular disorders.
Methods: Postoperatively, 43 patients (average age 72±10 years) showed elevated intraocular pressure levels of 25 mmHg (mean 36,55 mmHg, max range 62 mmHg). Those patients received a pressure relief treatment opening the paracenthesis with a sterile glass spatula. Our control group consisted of 43 patients who received a conventional therapy using Brimonidin (25 mmHg) adding a systemic carboanhydrase-inhibitor from 30 mmHg IOP. IOP measurements were performed at 1, 2, 3, 5 and 12 hours post treatment in both groups.
Results: Pressure relief using the paracenthesis was shown to be effective reducing pain and corneal edema immediately. The majority of cases displayed an increasing intraocular pressure level after the first treatment, leading to a repeated pressure relief up to 4 times. At the final IOP measurement 41 of 43 patients demonstrated intraocular pressures within the normal range. In the control group normal intraocular pressures were recorded in 42 of 43 patients at the final examination. No complications were discovered.
Conclusions: Pressure relief using the paracenthesis is a simple and efficient method of treatment for elevated intraocular pressures following cataract operations in patients with a medical history.

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