Retinal vascular density changes following phacoemulsification versus phacotrabeculectomy for primary angle-closure glaucoma: A comparative study

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To compare retinal vascular density changes following phacoemulsification vs. phacotrabeculectomy for primary angle-closure glaucoma(PACG).Materials and methods: Sixty-seven glaucoma patients were evaluated in a single center, and those with concomitant PACG and senile cataracts and without a history of prior ocular surgeries, trauma, or monocular status use were recruited. Finally, 59 eligible subjects were assigned to phacoemulsification (‘Phaco’ group, 29 eyes) or phacotrabeculectomy (‘Combined’ group, 30 eyes) surgeries based on the clinical situation. A commercial optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) device was used to measure the retinal vascular density and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness before, one week, one month after surgery.Results: For the RNFL thickness in different areas, a significant difference was found between the pre- and postoperative value only in the nasal area in the 'Combined' group (P<0.05). Among different vascular parameters, ‘inside disc vessel density’ had a significant difference for both ‘all vessels’ and ‘capillaries’ (p<0.05). Furthermore, ‘superficial hemifield vessel density for all vessels’ significantly changed after combined surgery (p=0.049).Conclusions: Despite similar IOP control, the vascular changes following phaco and combined surgery in PACG patients may be different, contributing to functional outcomes of these therapeutic modalities.