Lens factor as an underlying mechanism in primary angle closure with gonioscopically-visualized ciliary body processes.

PURPOSE: To compare the differences in anterior segment parameters between eyes with primary angle closure (PAC) with and without gonioscopically-visualized ciliary body processes (CBP). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, observational, comparative clinical study. METHODS: Detailed ocular examinations and gonioscopy were performed in 89 eyes of 89 patients with PAC to determine the visibility of the CBP. Anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber width, lens thickness (LT), lens vault (LV) and pupil diameter were determined using ultrasound biomicroscopy. The lens-axial length factor (LAF) and relative lens position (RLP) were calculated. All parameters were compared between eyes with and without gonioscopically visible CBP (PAC+CBP and PAC-CBP groups) after adjusting for age and gender. The association of the parameters with visible CBP was analyzed by univariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: PAC+CBP group included 41 eyes and the PAC-CBP group, 48 eyes. The axial length and ACD were statistically significantly smaller (p = 0.009 and p = 0.005, respectively) and LT, LV and LAF were statistically significantly greater (p = 0.03, p = 0.008 and p = 0.004, respectively) in the PAC+CBP group. In the PAC eyes with glaucoma, the LT, LV and LAF were statistically significantly greater in the PAC+CBP group (p = 0.02, p = 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively). The LAF had the strongest association with visible CBP in the regression analysis (Odds ratio = 141.70, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Gonioscopical visualization of ciliary processes may suggest that anterior segment crowding, especially lens factor is the underlying mechanism in PAC. It may provide a practical gonioscopic examination method for predicting the predominant pathophysiology of PAC.

Influence of Lens Factor and Effect of Selected Cataract Extraction on Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To analyze the affecting factor of lens in pathogenesis of acute primary angle-closure glaucoma (APACG) and the effect of selected cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: A survey was conducted on 25 eyes of 21 patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma accompanied by senile cataract against 21 eyes of 16 age-matched normal persons. Biometric measurements were made in both groups in order to analyze an affecting factor of lens in APACG. Before and after selected cataract extraction, other clinical findings were also evaluated. RESULTS: Biometric measurements such as anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), ACD/axial length (AXL), LT/AXL, and relative lens position (RLP) were significantly larger for the 25 eyes of the 21 patients with APACG than the 21 eyes of the 16 age-matched normal persons (P<0.05). After selecting cataract extraction with IOL implantation, improved biometric measurements and clinical findings revealed the effectiveness of that operation. CONCLUSIONS: Selected cataract extraction with IOL implantation could be successful as primary surgery in APACG accompanied by senile cataract over intraocular pressure control and visual acuity improvement for lens factor removal of APACG.