Impact of Different Fluidic Parameters on Development of Cystoid Macular Edema Following Phacoemulsification

Several studies have shown the adverse impact of an increase in the IOP and IOP fluctuations that occur during anterior segment intervention on the posterior segment structures. In human volunteers with each incremental increase in IOP the systolic and diastolic flow velocities in the short posterior ciliary arteries decreased linearly. This implies that the normal healthy eye is not able to autoregulate to maintain posterior ciliary artery blood flow velocities in response to acute large elevations in IOP. Vascular insufficiency due to abnormal autoregulation has been proposed as a major factor in the development of glaucoma. 1

It has been postulated that IOP elevation during the LASIK procedure causes mechanical stress which may induce tangential stress on the posterior segment.2, 3 Some studies have reported that the increase in IOP damages the retinal ganglion cells causing visual field defects. Also sudden increases in IOP, although well tolerated may induce changes in the peripheral retina.4,5,6

Several reports propose the occurrence of macular hole, lacquer cracks and choroidal neovascular membranes following the LASIK procedure. 3 It has been observed that the rapidly fluctuating pressure variations may be detrimental, particularly in susceptible persons with compromised ocular blood flow. Rapid IOP changes across a 30-mm Hg range would be predicted to influence posterior segment blood vessels.

In a previous study we compared the impact of using high fluid parameters versus low fluidic parameters on real-time IOP measured during phacoemulsification. We found that using high parameters resulted in a higher absolute rise in IOP as well as higher fluctuations in the IOP when compared to low parameters. Clinically these higher fluctuations in IOP would translate in a higher chamber instability.

We hypothesize that although transient, the increased IOP that occurs during phacoemulsification when using high parameters could cause mechanical stress on the eye. These higher fluid parameters during phacoemulsification can predispose the eye to increased macular thickness.