Abstract
BackgroundVarious surgical techniques have been described, to be combined with cataract surgery in glaucoma patients, aiming for an additional reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP), hence minimizing the burden of anti-glaucoma medication (AGM). Ultrasound ciliary plasty (UCP) is a recent microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) recommended for primary and refractory glaucoma. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new technique; combined phacoemulsification and ultrasound ciliary plasty (Phaco-UCP) as a primary surgical treatment for coexisting cataract and open angle glaucoma.MethodsA randomized clinical trial, including 61 eyes of 61 patients with visually significant cataract and open angle glaucoma, randomized to either Phaco-UCP (study group; 31 eyes) or phacoemulsification alone (Phaco-alone) (control group; 30 eyes). Primary outcomes included reduction in IOP and/or the number of AGM. Secondary outcomes included visual acuity improvement and complications. Qualified Success was defined as an IOP reduction ≥ 20% from baseline value, with an IOP 6–21 mmHg, with no additional AGM or glaucoma surgery. Failure was defined as either < 20% IOP reduction, despite AGM use, the need of glaucoma surgeries or serious complications.ResultsAt 18 months postoperatively, Phaco-UCP group had a median IOP reduction of 7 mmHg (Q1, Q3 = 3, 10) compared to 2 mmHg (Q1, Q3 = 2, 3) in Phaco-alone group (P < 0.001). Phaco-UCP group had significantly higher success rate at all time points reaching 67.7% at the last follow-up versus 16.7% only in Phaco-alone group (P< 0.001). The median number of AGM significantly decreased from [3 (Q1, Q3 = 2, 4), 3 (Q1, Q3 = 2,3)] respectively, (P =0.3)] at baseline to [1 (Q1,Q3 = 1, 2), 2 (Q1,Q3 = 2, 2)] respectively, (P < 0.001)] at 18 months postoperatively. No serious intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered in either group.ConclusionPhaco-UCP is a simple, safe and effective procedure for management of coexisting cataract and open angle glaucoma.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT04430647; retrospectively registered. June 12, 2020.
Highlights
Various surgical techniques have been described, to be combined with cataract surgery in glaucoma patients, aiming for an additional reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP), minimizing the burden of antiglaucoma medication (AGM)
No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding demographic and baseline clinical characteristics (Table 1)
A significantly greater IOP reduction and percentage IOP reduction were observed in the study group compared to the control group at all-time points (Tables 3 and 4 respectively)
Summary
Various surgical techniques have been described, to be combined with cataract surgery in glaucoma patients, aiming for an additional reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP), minimizing the burden of antiglaucoma medication (AGM). This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new technique; combined phacoemulsification and ultrasound ciliary plasty (Phaco-UCP) as a primary surgical treatment for coexisting cataract and open angle glaucoma. Cataract surgery has been found to decrease the intraocular pressure (IOP) in both normal and glaucomatous eyes, by an average of 1.5–4 mmHg [2, 3] This reduction is influenced by many factors including preoperative IOP, angle configuration and type of glaucoma [4]. IOP spikes after phacoemulsification is one of the feared complications in moderate and advanced stages of glaucoma [6]
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