AIM: To investigate the necessity of visual acuity, intraocular pressure(IOP)and slit lamp microscope examination on the same day after cataract surgery, and to explore a safe and effective method for postoperative observation.

METHODS: We collected cataract patients receiving day surgery from October to November 2018. They underwent phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens(IOL)implantation. 149 patients(149 eyes)were included. Before the surgery, and 2h, 1d, 1wk after the surgery, we measured and compared their best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and IOP, observing whether they had the corneal edema, IOL dislocation or other complications with slit lampmicroscope. We also compared the percentage of high IOP, low IOP before and after surgery.

RESULTS: BCVA before and 2h after surgery, BCVA 2h and 1d after surgery, and BCVA 1d and 1wk after surgery were statistically different, showing a gradually improving trend(P<0.05). There was no significant difference between IOP before surgery and 2h after surgery or 1d after surgery(P>0.05), but the IOP 1wk after surgery was lower than that before surgery, 2h after surgery and 1d after surgery(P<0.05). The percentage of high IOP 2h after surgery was significantly higher than that before surgery, 1d after surgery and 1wk after surgery. No ocular complication was found 1wk after surgery.

CONCLUSION: The visual acuity, IOP and corneal edema of the patients recovered 1wk after day cataract surgery, and high IOP was easy to happen 2h after surgery. Visual acuity, IOP and slit lamp microscope examination were safe, and corresponding treatment could be given to patients with high IOP.