The Effect of Extracapsular Cataract Extraction in Patients with Chronic Angle-Closure Glaucoma combined with Cataract

ABSTRACT

14 eyes of 11 patients with chronic angle-closure glaucoma(CACG) undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction(ECCE) with posterior chamber intraocular lens(PCIOL) implantation(group 1) and 14 eyes of 12 patients without glaucoma undergoing ECCE/PCIOL(group 2) were studied to assess the effect on anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber angle, and intraocular pressure (IOP). We measured the anterior chamber depth and angle using the EAS-1000 Scheimpflug camera. Following ECCE/PCIOL in group 1, the anterior chamber depth increased 1.00 +/- 0.25mm(p=0.0001), the anterior chamber angle widened 15.36 +/- 5.61 degrees(p=0.0001), and the postoperative IOP drop of 4.7mmHg(23.9%) showed statistical significance. Group 2 showed the increase of anterior chamber depth 0.22 +/- 0.44mm(p=0.0964), the widening of anterior chamber angle 2.51 +/- 2.65 degrees(p=0.0047), and the decrease of IOP 0.9mmHg(6.2%, p=0.0933). The effects on anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber angle, and rap were statistically significant between the two groups. Based on these results, we recommend that eyes with cataract and CACG may be considered for ECCE/PCIOL implantation as a first procedure rather than combined cataract and filtering surgery.