Evaluation of Intraocular Pressure Changes Following Cataract Surgery at a Tertiary Eye Hospital in Kano State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67601/njbls.v3i2a.62Keywords:
Visual Impairment, Cataract Surgery, Intraocular Pressure, Intraocular Lens Implant, Post-Operative OutcomeAbstract
Cataract is one of the leading causes of visual impairment. Cataract surgery is the only recognized and effective treatment for cataract, and it has also been found to affect intraocular pressure. This study aimed to evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) changes following cataract surgery. This Prospective observational study assessed changes following cataract surgery at Makkah Specialist Eye Hospitals, Kano, Nigeria, from 28th January to 28th March, 2026. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 80 participants scheduled for cataract surgery at Makkah Specialist Eye Hospital, Kano. Preoperative and postoperative (24 hours, 1 week and 1 month) intraocular pressure values were recorded, along with demographic data, type of cataract surgery, and complications if any, after obtaining informed consent. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test to detect mean IOP difference, as well as chi-square tests of association (p < 0.05). Cataract was mainly due to age 66 (82.5%). Nuclear cataract, 41 (51.2%), was the major types of cataracts. 75 (93.8%), of the participants underwent phacoemulsification. There was a statistically significant difference in IOP before (M = 17.63mmHg, SD = 3.223mmHg) and 24 hours after (M =19.46mmHg, SD = 3.762mmHg) cataract surgery; t (79) = -4.329, p < .001, as well as before (M = 17.63mmHg, SD = 3.223mmHg) and 1 month after (M =15.33mmHg, SD = 2.836mmHg) cataract surgery; t (79) = 6.943, p < .001. Cataract surgery is not only effective for visual rehabilitation but also contributes positively to short-term intraocular pressure reduction at one-month post-operation.
References
Asmare, Z.A., Seifu, B.L., Fente, B.M., Negussie, Y.M., Asebe, H.A., Bezie, M.M., Melkam, M., Asnake, A.A. (2024). Through the fog: Systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and associated factors of poor post-operative visual outcome of cataract surgery in Sub-Saharan Africa. PLoS One. 9;19(12):e0315263. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0315263.
Bogunjoko, T. J., Hassan, A. O., Akinye, A., Maji, C. S., Olowolaiyemo, M., and Idris, O. (2023). Visual Outcomes of Cataract Surgery at the Eye Foundation Community Hospital in Nigeria Ophthalmology Research: An International Journal 18 (5):45-51. https://doi.org/10.9734/or/2023/v18i5400.
Bulus, S.S., Bakut, A.S., Diyale, P.S., Mahmoud, Z. (2022) Visual outcome of cataract surgery from a free outreach camp among rural areas of Southern-Kaduna, Nigeria. Glob J Cataract Surg Res Ophthalmol; 1:15-20. https://doi.org/10.25259/GJCSRO_4_2021
Coh, P., Moghimi, S., Chen, R. I., Hsu, C.-H., Masís Solano, M., Porco, T., & Lin, S. C. (2016). Lens Position Parameters as Predictors of Intraocular Pressure Reduction after Cataract Surgery in Glaucomatous Versus Nonglaucomatous Eyes. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 57(6), 72–2878. https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.16-19384
Dhalla, K., Cousens, S., & Murdoch, I. E. (2017). Phacoemulsification compared with phaco trabeculectomy surgery: A within-person observational cohort study. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 101(12), 1628–1632. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjophthalmol-2015-307837
Dibyasakti, B. A., & Suhardjo, S. (2016). Intraocular pressure fluctuation after cataract surgery: Comparison between phacoemulsification & small-incision cataract surgery. Ophthalmologica Indonesiana, 42(1).
Gim, N., Jiang, Y., Bagdasarova, Y., Ferguson, A., Blazes, M., Lee, A. Y., Chen, A., Lee, C. S., & Taravati, P. (2025). Elevated Intraocular Pressure Immediately after Cataract Surgery and Future Risk of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma in the IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight). Ophthalmology Science, 5(6), 100851. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xops.2025.100851
Gurnani, B., & Kaur, K. (2023) Phacoemulsification. 2023 Jun 11. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; PMID: 35015444.
Habib, S.G., Idris, A., Tsiga-Ahmed, F.I., Gilbert, C. (2026)Visual acuity outcome and complications of cataract surgery in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Health. 25:ihaf161. https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihaf161.
Iyamu, E., & Okechukwu, C. (2024). Comparison of visual acuity outcomes of phacoemulsification and small incision cataract surgery at Adetula Opticals & Eye Clinic, Lagos State, Nigeria. American Journal of Optics and Photonics, hosted on ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajop.20241202.12
Khanna, R. C., Muvit, M., Natung, J., Sahay, P., Rani, A., & Rao, G. N. (2020). Factors associated with visual outcomes after cataract surgery in Liberia. PLOS ONE, 15(5), e0233118. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0233118
Kim, S., Park, S.H., Lee, S.M. (2024) Changes in Intraocular Pressure and Anterior Chamber Parameters Following Cataract Surgery, Vitrectomy, and Combined Surgery. Korean J Ophthalmol;38(1):23 33. https://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2023.0072
Maduena-Angulo, S., Beltran-Ontiveros, S., Leal-Leon, E., et al. (2023) National sex- and age specific burden of blindness and vision impairment by cause in Mexico in 2019: a secondary analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 2023; 24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lana.2023.100552
Mansberger, S. L., Gardiner, S. K., Gordon, M., Kass, M.,& Ramulu, P. (2022). Cataract surgery Lowers intraocular pressure and medication use in the Medication Group of the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 236, 53–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2021.07.008
Matta, S., Park, J., Palamaner Subash Shantha, G., Khanna, R. C., & Rao, G. N. (2016). Cataract surgery visual outcomes and associated risk factors in secondary level eye care centers of LV Prasad Eye Institute, India. PLOS ONE, 11(1), e0144853. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0144853
Melancia, D., Pinto, L. A., & Marques-Neves, C. (2015). Cataract surgery and intraocular pressure. Ophthalmic Research, 53(3), 141–148. https://doi.org/10.1159/000377635
Moshirfar, M., Milner, D., Patel, B.C. (2023) Cataract Surgery. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan–. PMID: 32644679.
Onakpoya, O. H., Adeoye, A. O., Adegbehingbe, B. O., Badmus, S. A., Adewara, B. A., Awe, O. O., & Udonwa, P. A. (2020). Intraocular pressure variation after conventional extracapsular cataract extraction, manual small incision cataract surgery and phacoemulsification in an indigenous black population. The Pan African Medical Journal, 36, 119. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2020.36.119.16942
Onyia, O., Aghaji, A.E., Ubaka, C., et al. (2024) Assessing the cataract surgical rate and gender equity in cataract services in south-east Nigeria. BMJ Open Ophthalmology; 9:e001326. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjophth-2023-001326
Prajna, N. V., Ravilla, T. D., & Srinivasan, S. (2015). Cataract Surgery. In H. T. Debas, P. Donkor, A. Gawande, D. T. Jamison, M. E. Kruk, & C. N. Mock (Eds.), Essential Surgery: Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 1). The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-0346-8_ch11
Riaz, Y., Mehta, J. S., Wormald, R., Evans, J. R., & Buscombe, C. (2006). Surgical interventions for age-related cataract. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4), CD001323. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001323.pub2
Sofi, A.I., Aziz, A., & S. Wani, J. (2016). Factors affecting visual outcome in traumatic cataract and its associated ocular injuries - A hospital based study. International Journal of Medical Research and Review, 4(5), 839–844. https://doi.org/10.17511/ijmrr.2016.i05.30
Todorović, M., Šarenac Vulović, T., Petrović, N., Todorović, D., & Srećković, S. (2019). Intraocular Pressure Changes After Uneventful Phacoemulsification in Early Postoperative Period In Healthy. Eyes. Acta Clinica Croatica, 58(3), 467–472. https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2019.58.03.10
World Health Organization. (2019). World report on vision. www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/world-report-on-vision.
