Effect of phacoemulsification on facility of outflow
Reviewed by Jonathan Chan

This is a prospective study to examine the change in electronic Schotz tonographic outflow (TOF) and IOP measurements after phacoemulsification. Intraocular pressure was measured using Goldman‘s applanation tonography (GAT). Data were collected at baseline, three, six and 12 months postoperatively. A total of 27 patients were available at all time points; 11 had primary open angle glaucoma and cataract, 16 had cataract only. Mean IOP reduced at every time point postoperatively significantly compared with baseline. TOF improved significantly after cataract surgery at all time points; (Baseline of 0.14+/-0.06 vs 0.18+/-0.09 at three months, p=0.02 and 0.2+/-0.09 at six months, p=0.003, 0.17+/-0.07 uL/min mmHg at 12 months, p=0.04). Percentage contralateral eyes without surgery were used as controls for comparison purposes. The authors stated that phacoemulsification increases TOF with IOP drop but the exact mechanism of the outflow facility enhancement remains unclear from this study.

Effect of phacoemulsification on facility of outflow.
Alaghband P, Beltran-Agulló L, Galvis EA, et al.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
2018;102:1520-6.