Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine the incidence, timin
g, and severity of variability in the intraocular pressures (IOPs) fro
m baseline after simple pars plana vitrectomy. Methods: A prospective
study was performed in 25 consecutive patients undergoing simple pars
plana vitrectomy. Intraocular pressures were measured before surgery,
immediately after surgery, and then at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after
surgery. Results: The mean IOP was elevated significantly 2 hours aft
er surgery when compared with the mean immediate postoperative IOP (30
.3 mmHg +/- 11.0 mmHg vs. 17.4 mmHg +/- 7.0 mmHg, P < 0.001). A steady
decline was seen at all succeeding timepoints. The 24-hour mean (17.3
mmHg +/- 4.3 mmHg, P = 0.923) was similar to baseline. Ninety-two per
cent of eyes had a 2-hour postoperative IOP that was higher than the I
OF at the completion of surgery. Forty percent of patients required me
dical management for IOP greater than or equal to 30 mmHg. Conclusions
: Significant IOP elevation can occur after simple pars plana vitrecto
my. The optimal time for detecting the pressure rise during the first
24 hours is 2 hours after surgery.