Intracameral mydriatics in phacoemulsification cataract surgery - a 6-year follow-up

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term safety of intracameral mydriatics (ICM) in phacoemulsification cataract surgery compared with conventional topical mydriatics (TM). Methods: A total of 45 patients were examined 6 years after phacoemulsification cataract surgery. The patients had previously participated in a prospective randomized double-blind study including 60 patients, operated with either ICM or TM. The follow-up included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), grade of posterior capsule opacification (PCO), YAG laser capsulotomy rate, pupil size, corneal thickness and endothelial morphology. Results: No differences in postoperative BCVA, IOP, pupil size, PCO or YAG rate were observed between the groups. Endothelial cell loss, endothelial morphology and corneal thickness were also equivalent. Conclusions: Intracameral mydriatics is a safe alternative to topical mydriatics in phacoemulsification cataract surgery with no long-term disadvantages at 6-year follow-up.