Fixed combination bimatoprost-timolol in prevention of ocular hypertension after phacoemulsification of uncomplicated cataract

To date, cataract surgery development aims at minimizing surgical trauma in order to achieve a quicker rehabilitation. However, one of the severe complications of cataract surgery is increased intraocular pressure due to the inflammatory response, the so-called reactive syndrome that occurs in the early postoperative period. Aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a fixed combination of bimatoprost and timolol (Ganfort) eye drops in prevention of ocular hypertension and corneal edema after ultrasonic phacoemulsification. Materials and methods. The study included 60 patients (60 eyes) with uncomplicated cataracts of varying maturity degree. All patients were divided into 2 groups. Patients in the main group (30 patients, 30 eyes, 20 female and 10 male) underwent pneumotonometry before surgery and received a single instillation of Ganfort, and pneumotonometry was performed again 30 minutes after instillation (before surgery), and then again after surgery. Patients in the control group (30 patients, 30 eyes, 19 female and 11 male) underwent pnemotonometry before and after surgery. Results. The postoperative period was similar in both groups. On the first day after surgery, mean intraocular pressure in patients of the main group was 12.9 mmHg while in the control group the mean intraocular pressure was 20.1 mmHg. In patients of the main group, intraocular pressure decreased by 1/3 with Ganfort therapy on the first day after surgery, and biomicroscopic corneal findings were less pronounced in the main group compared to the control group. Conclusion. The results of our study show that even uncomplicated cataract phacoemulsification with IOL implantation leads to a reactive postoperative increase of intraocular pressure from 17.5 to 20.1 mmHg. In our study, the use of Ganfort did not cause side effects or intolerability. Ganfort use may be considered as an effective prophylactics of ocular hypertension and corneal edema after ultrasonic phacoemulsification.

cataract, phacoemulsification, ocular hypertension, reactive hypertension, Ganfort