Results of Combined Phacoemulsification and Goniosynechialysis in the Management of Refractory Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma in Ratchaburi Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of combined phacoemulsification and goniosynechialysis (PE-GSL) of angle closure glaucoma in patients with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) and persistent peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) initially presented with acute angle closure attack. Materials and Methods: The present study was a retrospective cohort study of medical records of Thai glaucoma patients comprising 19 eyes of 19 patients (13 females and 6 males) with acute angle closure attacks. All patients were performed with PE-GSL Results: There were statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative IOP, PAS, and the number of medications required for IOP control. Postoperative visual acuities were improved. At the final examination for each patient, IOP was 12.15±1.57 mmHg (range 10 to 16). The extent of recurrent PAS was 66.32±40.72° (range 0 to 90), and the number of antiglaucoma medications was 0 (range 0 to 2). IOP was less than 20 mmHg in 16 eyes (80%) without medications. Three eyes were controlled with medications. In the 16 eyes with successful PE-GSL, the mean time between the angle closure attack and surgery was 7.5±5.6 weeks. Conclusion: PE-GSL are effective in decreasing IOP, PAS, and medications, as well as improvement of visual acuity in eyes with uncontrolled IOP and persistent PAS in patients who initially presented with acute angle closure attacks. Keywords: Angle-closure glaucoma; Phacoemulsification; Goniosynechialysis; Cataract; IOP