A Comparative Evaluation of Phacotrabeculectomy with Manual Phacofracture Trabeculectomy

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the results of manual phacofracture trabeculectomy (manual small incision cataract surgery trabeculectomy) versus phacotrabeculectomy with respect to visual gain and intraocular pressure (IOP) control. Materials and Methods: Thirty consecutive patients who underwent combined surgery performed by the same surgeon were prospectively evaluated for a minimum period of 12 months. Fifteen patients underwent single site phacotrabeculectomy, and the remaining 15 patients underwent single site phacofracture trabeculectomy at Guru Nanak Eye Hospital, New Delhi. Results: Both surgeries resulted in a highly significant decrease in IOP, the final percentage reduction being 46% in phacotrabeculectomy group and 44% in phacofracture trabeculectomy group. The complete success rate (IOP < 21 mmHg) without additional antiglaucoma medications was 100% for both the groups till l2 months of follow-up. Improvement in visual acuity was similar in both the groups with 53% patients in phacotrabeculectomy and 60% in phacofracture trabeculectomy group attaining a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better. The mean surgically induced astigmatism was 1.33 D and 1.3 D in phacotrabeculectomy and phacofracture trabeculectomy group respectively, at the end of 12 months follow-up. Manual phacofracture trabeculectomy resulted in more early postoperative inflammation within the first 7 days. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference in the final visual acuity, IOP control and surgically induced astigmatism between phacofracture trabeculectomy and phacotrabeculectomy groups.