Incidence of intraocular pressure spike and other adverse events after vitreoretinal surgery.

Abstract

To determine the incidence of significant postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and other adverse medical events during the first postoperative day in patients undergoing inpatient vitreoretinal surgery. Noncomparative interventional case series. Two hundred two consecutive patients were admitted prospectively as inpatients after vitreoretinal surgery (vitrectomy and/or scleral buckling). Intraocular pressure was measured preoperatively, 5 to 12 hours postoperatively, and on postoperative day 1. Additionally, pain, nausea, and serious systemic adverse events were monitored. Seventeen patients (8.4%) had a 5- to 12-hour IOP measurement above 29 mmHg. Thirty patients (14.8%) had a postoperative day 1 IOP measurement above 29 mmHg. Three patients (1.5%) required a parenteral narcotic to achieve adequate analgesia. Nine patients (4.5%) utilized a parenteral antiemetic for nausea control. Six patients (3.0%) had a hyperglycemic event. No serious systemic adverse events occurred in the early postoperative period. The incidence of a significant IOP spike or systemic adverse events in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery is low.