The effect of intraocular pressure during phacoemulsification in patients with either diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma; a randomized controlled feasibility trial

What is known Traditionally, phacoemulsification has been carried out under relatively high intraocular pressure (IOP) to mitigate the effects of post occlusion aspiration surge during lens removal. A new enhanced phacoemulsification fluidics system has reduced surge allowing surgeons to operate at considerably lower, and more physiological IOP levels. What is new In patients undergoing phacoemulsification for moderate cataracts with either co-existing diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma, an IOP of 30 mmHg using the Centurion active sentry system did not result in any decrease in surgical efficiency or increase in complication rates compared to a higher pressure of 60 mmHg. Lower IOP phacoemulsification caused less short-term changes in the retinal microvasculature than higher pressure, the long-term significance of which is unknown and further study is needed.