Day 1 postoperative intraocular pressure spike in vitreoretinal surgery (VDOP1)

Abstract

Purpose: To classify the clinical characteristics that might identify patients who may not require next-day follow-up following routine vitreoretinal intervention.

Methods: Prospective case series.

Results: The only statistically significant factors for raised intraocular pressure (IOP) were gas tamponade and preoperative raised IOP. 44.7% (17/38) of patients with preoperative IOP ≥ 20 mmHg had postoperative IOP ≥ 30 mmHg while 8.6% (17/197) of patients with preoperative IOP < 20 mmHg had postoperative IOP ≥ 30 mmHg (p = 0.0001). Phacoemulsification did not increase risk for a postoperative IOP spike. There was a 20-21% risk of postoperative IOP > 30 mmHg for patients with gas tamponade. All patients with no tamponade with IOP > 30 mmHg had preoperative IOP ≥ 20 mmHg.

Conclusion: Uncomplicated vitreoretinal procedures with preoperative IOP of< 20 mmHg and no gas tamponade are unlikely to have uncontrolled IOP spike at day 1.