[Factors influencing intraocular pressure elevation on the first postoperative day following small-incision cataract surgery--the effect of apraclonidine].

Purpose: To investigate the effects of apraclonidine on intraocular pressure elevation after cataract surgery and the factors associated with elevated intraocular pressure.

Methods: A group of patients (apraclonidine group) was administered a drop of apraclonidine before and one drop after surgery, and the difference between the intraocular pressure in the apraclonidine group and the non-use group was investigated postoperatively. On the first postoperative day, multivariate analysis was performed using intraocular pressure as the objective value and other variable factors involved in the surgery as the explanatory variables.

Results: On the first postoperative day, the intraocular pressure in the apraclonidine group (520 eyes: 15.5 +/- 4.9 mmHg) was significantly lower than that in the non-use group (577 eyes: 18.7 +/- 7.2 mmHg) (p < 0.001). The significant variables included preoperative intraocular pressure, apraclonidine use, sex (men > women), poor mydriasis, acetylcholine use, pseudoexfoliation, and diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions: Apraclonidine is useful in suppressing postoperative elevation of intraocular pressure.