The effect of Healon and timolol on early postoperative intraocular pressure after extracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of a posterior chamber lens.

In a prospective, randomized, masked study the effect of sodium hyaluronate (Healon) and timolol on the acute intraocular pressure rise after extracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of a posterior chamber lens were evaluated. Intraocular pressure was measured preoperatively and 3-6 h and 24 h postoperatively. When no timolol was used, a significant rise in intraocular pressure was observed at 3-6 h, whether or not Healon was aspirated. Timolol reduced the intraocular pressure rise, especially during the first 3-6 h after surgery. When timolol was not applied at the end of surgery, IOP exceeded 30 mmHg in 28% 3-6 h postoperatively, compared to only 4% when timolol was applied.