Journal of cataract and refractive surgery
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J Cataract Refract Surg · Nov 2009
Intraocular pressure reduction after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in glaucomatous and nonglaucomatous eyes: evaluation of a causal relationship between the natural lens and open-angle glaucoma.
To study the long-term effects of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in nonglaucomatous and glaucomatous eyes. ⋯ Intraocular pressure reduction was proportional to preoperative IOP; the highest preoperative IOPs decreased the most and the lowest increased slightly. One-year IOP reductions were sustained for 10 years and were similar in patients of all ages. The IOP reductions were similar to previously reported reductions in nonglaucomatous eyes, indicating that the aging crystalline lens may be a major cause of ocular hypertension and glaucoma and that phacoemulsification with IOL implantation may help prevent and treat adult glaucoma.