Background: Phacoemulsification is the standard method for cataract extraction. Patients with shallow anterior chamber are associated with more difficult surgical manipulations and increased risk of intraoperative complications. Posterior vitreous tap can be done before phacoemulsification to achieve suitable depth of anterior chamber making surgery easier with less incidence of complications. The aim of the work is to evaluate postoperative changes of intraocular pressure following phacoemulsification with posterior vitreous tap in shallow anterior chamber.

Methods: This is a prospective randomized controlled study included twelve patients with immature senile cataract associated with shallow anterior chamber who undergone phacoemulsification with posterior vitreous tap. Intraocular pressure was measured in all patients before surgery, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after the surgery. The collected data was statistically analyzed and presented in suitable charts and tables.

Results: All patients showed reduction in intraocular pressure after the surgery with mean intraocular pressure 16.41 ± 3.41 mmHg preoperative, compared to 12.47 ± 2.41 mmHg postoperative at 6 months, which is statistically significant.

Conclusions: Posterior vitreous tap during phacoemulsification in cataractous eyes with shallow anterior chamber has been shown to be effective for considerable reduction in intraocular pressure after the surgery in such eyes without considerable risks regarding vitreous or retinal traction.