Clinical Factors that Influence Intraocular Pressure Change after Cataract Surgery in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Angle-Closure Glaucoma

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluated the effect of cataract surgery on intraocular pressure (IOP) in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and to find predictors for a favorable postoperative IOP after cataract surgery in patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma. METHODS: Various clinical factors were evaluated in 68 patients (76 eyes) with well controlled primary glaucoma who had undergone cataract surgery. The differences in parameters between groups divided by postoperative IOP course were analyzed. RESULTS: For this study, successful IOP control was defined as an IOP between 6 mmHg and 21 mmHg without anti-glaucoma medication at last visit after cataract surgery. Eyes with the highest preoperative IOPs less than 28 mmHg in POAG and 42 mmHg in PACG had a significantly higher probability of success. In PACG, the probability of success was significantly higher, if fewer than three anti-glaucoma medications were given before surgery and if the areas of PAS before surgery were less than 4 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Primary small incision cataract surgery using phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation could be considered the procedure of choice for a selective group of patients with coexisting glaucoma and visually significant cataract, with respect to IOP, the number of anti-glaucoma medications, and the area of peripheral anterior synechiae.