Phacoviscocanalostomy versus cataract surgery only in patients with coexisting normal-tension glaucoma: midterm outcomes

Does Cataract Extraction Significantly Affect Intraocular Pressure of Glaucomatous/Hypertensive Eyes? Meta-Analysis of Literature

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cataract extraction on intraocular pressure at 6, 12, and 24 months and their difference compared to the baseline in diverse glaucoma subtypes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We carried out research in the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases, as of April 2022 for relevant papers, filtered according to established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The meta-analysis evaluated the Mean Reduction and relative Standard Error in these subpopulations at predetermined times. A total of 41 groups (2302 eyes) were included in the systematic review. Due to the significant heterogeneity, they were analysed through a Random Effects Model.

RESULTS

We obtained these differences from baseline: (1) Open Angle Glaucoma at 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively: -2.44 mmHg, -2.71 mmHg and -3.13 mmHg; (2) Angle Closure Glaucoma at 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively: -6.81 mmHg, -7.03 mmHg and -6.52 mmHg; (3) Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma at 12 months: -5.30 mmHg; (4) Ocular Hypertension at 24 months: -2.27 mmHg.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a certain variability, the reduction in ocular pressure was statistically significant at 6, 12 and 24 months in both Open Angle Glaucoma and Angle Closure Glaucoma, the latter being superior. Data for Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma and for Ocular Hypertension are available, respectively, only at 12 months and at 24 months, both being significant.

12-month outcomes of ab interno excisional goniotomy combined with cataract surgery in primary open-angle glaucoma and normal tension glaucoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of excisional goniotomy performed with the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) combined with cataract surgery in patients with pimary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG) under topical therapy. Further sub-analysis was performed to compare between 90 and 120 degrees goniotomy.

METHODS

This was a prospective case series of 69 eyes from 69 adults (age 78 ± 5.9 years; male = 27, female = 42). Indications for surgery included insufficient IOP control with topical medication, glaucomatous damage progression under topical therapy and reduction of medication burden. Complete success was defined as IOP lowering below 21 mmHg without the need for topical medication. For NTG patients, complete success was defined as IOP lowering below 17 mmHg without the need for topical medication.

RESULTS

IOP was significantly lowered from 19.7 ± 4.7 to 15.1 ± 2.7 at 2 months, 15.8 ± 2.3 at 6 months and 16.1 ± 3.2 at 12 months (p < 0.05) for POAG and 15.1 ± 2.5 to 14.1 ± 2.4 at 2 months, 14.1 ± 3.1 at 6 months and 13.6 ± 1.8 at 12 months (p > 0.08) for NTG, respectively. Complete success was achieved in 64% of the patients. IOP lowering under 17 mmHg without the need for topical medication was achieved in 60% of the patients at 12 months. In NTG patients (14 eyes) IOP lowering under 17 mmHg without the need for topical medication was achieved in 71%. No significant difference was recorded in terms of IOP lowering at 12 months in-between 90° and 120° of treated trabecular meshwork (p > 0.7). No severe adverse reactions were recorded in this study.

CONCLUSION

One-year results show that KDB combined with cataract surgery is an effective treatment option for glaucoma patients. IOP lowering was successfully achieved in NTG patients with complete success in 70% of the patients. In our study, no significant differences were recorded in-between 90° and 120° of treated trabecular meshwork.

Combined phacoviscocanalostomy versus phacoemulsification alone in patients with coexisting cataract and mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma; a randomized-controlled trial

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Management of concomitant cataract and glaucoma depends on the stage of glaucoma and the patient's situation. There are different surgical options for handling visually significant cataract and mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma (OAG). We aimed to compare the one-year results of phacoemulsification alone versus phacoviscocanalostomy in these patients.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

This was a parallel-arm, single-masked, randomized-controlled trial, conducted at Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran between January 2016 and January 2018. We enrolled 89 eyes from 89 patients with mild-to-moderate primary OAG or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) with visually significant age-related cataract. They randomly underwent phacoemulsification alone (n = 44) or combined phaco-viscocanalostomy (n = 45). All patients had a 12-month follow-up period, and the mean intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma medications, and complete and qualified success rates were compared.

RESULTS

After the 1st and 3rd months, the mean IOP showed significantly decreased in the phaco-visco group compared to the phaco group (P < 0001 and P = 0.004, respectively), but it was not statistically significant at 6th and 12th months (P = 0.540 and P = 0.530). The need for antiglaucoma medication and the complete and qualified success rates were significantly in favour of the phaco-visco group in all postoperative visits (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Although both phacoemulsification alone and phacoviscocanalostomy procedures can be considered for patients with mild-to-moderate OAG, we found better success rates using phacoviscocanalostomy. Therefore, if the surgeon is an expert in performing this technique, this non-penetrating procedure can be applied in patients with visually significant cataract and earlier stages of OAG, especially in patients with PEXG.

Outcomes of Phaco-viscocanalostomy in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma versus Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma

Purpose

Viscocanalostomy represents an alternative to standard penetrating glaucoma surgery. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and viscocanalostomy in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) versus eyes with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG).

Methods

In this prospective non-randomized comparative study, eyes with cataract and POAG or PEXG were enrolled. Pre- and postoperative data including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and the number of antiglaucoma medications administered were recorded at each visit. All patients underwent phacoviscocanalostomy. Complete success was defined as the IOP of 21 mmHg or less without the administration of medication while a qualified success reported the same IOP parameters either with or without the administration of medication.

Results

Fifty-four eyes with POAG and fifty-four with PEXG underwent phacoviscocanalostomy. The mean follow-up time was 23.36 ± 8.8 months (range, 6-40 months). The mean postoperative IOP reduced significantly in both groups, although the mean IOP reduction was significantly greater in PEXG eyes (14.7 ± 8.9 vs 10.1 ± 7.7 mmHg) (P = 0.05). At the final follow-up visit, the mean postoperative IOP was 14.1 ± 2.1 and 16.6 ± 3.5 mmHg in the PEXG and POAG eyes, respectively (P = 0.001). A complete success rate of 88.9% and 75.9% was achieved in PEXG and POAG eyes, respectively (P = 0.07). The qualified success rate was 100% in the PEXG and 85.2% in POAG groups (P = 0.03).

Conclusion

Phacoviscocanalostomy achieved significant IOP reduction and visual improvement in both POAG and PEXG patients. Our results indicated that in terms of IOP reduction, this procedure was more effective in treating PEXG.

Safety and efficacy of microinvasive glaucoma surgery with cataract extraction in patients with normal-tension glaucoma

This study assesses the safety and efficacy of microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) with cataract extraction in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). In our sample of 45 NTG patients, mean intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased from 13.7 to 12.3 mmHg at 2.5 years, and mean medication burden decreased from 2.0 to 1.1 at 1.5 years. For success defined as IOP reduction ≥ 30% from baseline IOP with medication burden reduction from preoperative levels, success probability was 5.4% at 1.5 years. For success defined as medication burden reduction with an IOP reaching goal IOP as determined by the glaucoma specialist, success probabilities were 67.2% at 1.5 years and 29.4% at 2.5 years. At the last follow-up visit, eyes with two MIGS procedures with different mechanisms of action achieved successful medication reduction 68.8% of the time versus 35.7% achieved by a single MIGS procedure (p = 0.052). At their last visit, visual acuity was unchanged or improved in all eyes (100%). MIGS with cataract surgery results in modest reductions in IOP and medication burden in NTG patients, which may lead to lower costs and better therapeutic compliance. A combination of two MIGS procedures with different mechanisms of action may potentially be more effective in reducing medication burden than a single MIGS procedure in NTG patients. Further research is necessary to ascertain whether MIGS for NTG patients may help decrease medication burden while helping achieve goal IOP.

Intraocular Pressure Reduction after Phacoemulsification: A Matched Cohort Study

PURPOSE

Phacoemulsification has been linked to lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma, ocular hypertension, anatomic narrow angles, and in glaucoma suspects, but the magnitude of change has varied.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with glaucoma treated from June 2010 through May 2015 who underwent phacoemulsification (surgical group) were matched to patients who did not (nonsurgical group) for age, gender, type of glaucoma, baseline IOP, and number and type of glaucoma medications.

METHODS

Electronic medical record information was used to compare the matched surgical and nonsurgical groups.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Change in IOP, change in number of glaucoma medications, and likelihood of a glaucoma procedure within 36 months after phacoemulsification. Intraocular pressure measures were obtained from Goldmann applanation tonometry when available (45%), and otherwise with the iCare tonometer (iCare USA, Raleigh, NC), the Tono-Pen (Reichert Technologies, Depew, NY), noncontact tonometry, and pneumotonometry.

RESULTS

Among 16 169 matched pairs, average IOP after the index date was lower in the surgical than nonsurgical group throughout follow-up to 36 months. The difference was greatest during months 1 through 18, during which IOP increased by 0.22 mmHg from 16.49 mmHg in the average nonsurgical patient and decreased by 0.99 mmHg from 16.50 mmHg in the average surgical patient (difference in difference, 1.21 mmHg; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.30 mmHg). The difference in difference was greatest for patients with ocular hypertension (2.00 mmHg) and for patients with preoperative IOP of 20 mmHg or more (2.46 mmHg). By 30 to 36 months, 5% (95% CI, 4%-6%) fewer surgical patients used an ophthalmic medication. In the surgical group, the odds of selective laser trabeculoplasty were reduced in patients with ocular hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 0.27; 95% CI, 0.10-0.74) or glaucoma suspects (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.20-0.47), whereas the odds of glaucoma surgery were elevated in surgical patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.08-2.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The association of phacoemulsification for cataract with IOP reduction was lower than in past referral-based studies. Surgeons should expect to reduce IOP approximately 1 to 2 mmHg with phacoemulsification in patients with preoperative IOP of less than 20 mmHg.

Goniowash: a new surgical approach combined with cataract surgery to lower intraocular pressure in pseudoexfoliation syndrome

Purpose

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is common in elderly patients and is associated with intraocular pressure elevation. Goniowash is a novel surgical technique to remove pseudoexfoliation material from the irido-corneal angle to decrease intraocular pressure. We assessed the long-term efficacy of Goniowash on relevant parameters in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, after cataract surgery.

Methods

The study enrolled 122 patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, who underwent routine cataract surgery combined with Goniowash. Best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure and medication status were recorded in study participants during 5 years of follow-up.

Results

Data from 190 eyes (122 patients of average age 73.8 ± 7.7 years) were assessed. Mean best-corrected visual acuity increased from 0.60 to 1.0 (p < 0.001) one year after surgery and remained stable throughout the follow-up. Average intraocular pressure decreased from 26.4 ± 7.3 mmHg pre-operatively to 15.9 ± 3.0 mmHg post operatively at one year (p < 0.001), 16.1 ± 3.3 mmHg (p < 0.001) at 3 years and 16.8 ± 2.9 (p < 0.001) at 5 years. Mean number of ocular hypotensive medications decreased from 1.5 ± 0.8 pre-operatively to 0.4 ± 0.7 post-operatively (75% reduction) (p < 0.001). No unexpected and severe adverse events related to the surgical procedure were reported.

Conclusions

Goniowash combined with cataract surgery provides stable and long-lasting reduction of intraocular pressure and hypotensive medications. It is a safe procedure and may be an alternative for patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and elevated intraocular pressure.

Long term effect of phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure in patients with medically controlled primary open-angle glaucoma

Background

The effect of cataract surgery on IOP in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a subject of debate. We investigated the effect of cataract surgery by phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with medically POAG .

Methods

Seventy eyes of 40 POAG patients undergoing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification were retrospectively evaluated. All patients had their POAG medically controlled without prior glaucoma surgery. Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics were recorded. IOP and the number of glaucoma medications were evaluated before and for 1 year after cataract surgery. We analyzed IOP variations from baseline with a Student t-test for a paired sample. We used a Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression to study the relation between IOP change from baseline and preoperative characteristics.

Results

One year after phacoemulsification, IOP decreased by a mean 1.15 ± 3 mmHg (6.8 ± 18.1%) (P = 0.01) and the number of glaucoma medications remained unchanged with a difference of − 0.1 ± 0.43 (P = 0.09). Higher preoperative IOP was associated with a greater IOP decrease after 1 year of follow-up (P < 0.001). One and 7 days after cataract surgery, 12.9 and 4.2% of the eyes had IOP spikes > 30 mmHg, respectively. One year after cataract surgery, 75.7% of the POAG eyes maintained the same number of glaucoma medications while 17.1% had a decrease and 7.2% of the eyes required adding glaucoma medications.

Conclusion

Cataract surgery by phacoemulsification in eyes with medically controlled POAG resulted at 1 year in a very small IOP decrease without a change in the number of glaucoma medications. A drop in IOP should not be expected after performing phacoemulsification alone in POAG patients.

Comparison of intraocular pressure fluctuation before and after cataract surgeries in normal-tension glaucoma patients

Purpose:

Cataract surgeries have been shown to reduce intraocular pressure. We used a Sensimed Triggerfish® contact lens sensor to compare intraocular pressure levels and their fluctuation between before and after cataract surgeries in patients with normal-tension glaucoma.

Methods:

This was a prospective open-label study. Thirteen patients with normal-tension glaucoma were included. All patients underwent a 1-month washout and discontinued glaucoma medications during this study. In each eye, intraocular pressure fluctuations over 24 h were measured with the contact lens sensor before and at 3 months after the cataract surgery. We compared intraocular pressure levels and their fluctuation between before and after cataract surgeries. We used two approaches to evaluate the amplitude of intraocular pressure fluctuations: dual-harmonic regression analysis, and measurement of the difference between the maximum and the minimum value.

Results:

The mean pre-operative intraocular pressure was 14.7 ± 2.2 mm Hg and mean post-operative intraocular pressure was 11.4 ± 2.2 mm Hg. Cataract surgery significantly decreased intraocular pressure (p = 0.0005). In both methods, the post-operative fluctuations in intraocular pressure over 24 h were significantly smaller than their pre-operative counterparts (dual-harmonic regression analysis: p = 0.0171; difference between the maximum and the minimum: p = 0.0398).

Conclusion:

Cataract surgery decreased both intraocular pressure values and intraocular pressure fluctuations in normal-tension glaucoma patients.

Combined glaucoma and cataract surgery: Comparison of viscocanalostomy, endocyclophotocoagulation, and ab interno trabeculectomy

PURPOSE

To compare outcomes of phacoemulsification combined with viscocanalostomy, endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP), or ab interno trabulectomy for intraocular pressure (IOP) control and safety in eyes with open-angle glaucoma and visually significant cataract.

SETTING

Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Medical records of patients who had combined surgery and were followed for at least 1 year were reviewed. Complete success, postoperative IOP, number of medications at each visit, and complications were evaluated and compared before and after adjustments for confounders.

RESULTS

Forty-six eyes had combined phacoviscocanalostomy, 35 had phaco-ECP, and 28 eyes phaco-ab interno trabulectomy. The groups were matched for baseline IOP (P = .24). At the final follow-up (mean 17.2 months ± 5.5 [SD]), the phacoviscocanalostomy group had the lowest mean IOP (13.5 ± 4.7 mm Hg, 29% decrease) (P = .01). There was no significant difference in the final IOP between phaco-ECP and phaco-ab interno trabulectomy (16.4 ± 3.9 mm Hg, 20% decrease versus 15.8 ± 4.2 mm Hg, 15% decrease) (P = .88). The reduction in the number of medications was greater with phacoviscocanalostomy (77%) than with phaco-ECP (40%) and phaco-ab interno trabulectomy (44%) (P = .01). Phacoemulsification-ab interno trabulectomy had the fewest complications. Intraocular pressure spikes were more frequent in the phaco-ECP group (20%) than in the other groups (4%) (P = .05).

CONCLUSIONS

All procedures significantly lowered IOP. Phacoemulsification-ab interno trabulectomy resulted in fewest complications and phacoviscocanalostomy led to the largest IOP drop and largest reduction of medications.

Lowering of Intraocular Pressure After Phacoemulsification in Primary Open-Angle and Angle-Closure Glaucoma: A Bayesian Analysis

Phacoemulsification as treatment for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) remains more controversial than for primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). If the objective of glaucoma surgery is an additional greater than or equal to 5 to 6 mm Hg reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP), the role of phacoemulsification should be based on the probability of achieving this. A Bayesian analysis of available data was performed to calculate the change in IOP after phacoemulsification in POAG and PACG. Standard meta-analysis formulation with prephacoemulsification and postphacoemulsification IOP-assumed to have normal distributions, with study-specific means and SDs-was used. Absolute and relative change in IOP was calculated using different priors, and sensitivity analyses were performed. The prior that just included a decrease of greater than or equal to 6 mm Hg in the 95% credible interval was identified. The probability of achieving greater than or equal to 5 to 6 mm Hg decrease in IOP (and other levels) was calculated. Depending on the prior, the probability of achieving a greater than or equal to 5 mm Hg reduction in IOP in POAG varied from 0.1% to 3%. Confidence in a greater than or equal to 6 mm Hg decrease required a prior belief that phacoemulsification produces a mean decrease of 7 mm Hg. The probability of a decrease in IOP was greater in PACG: approximately 50% probability of a greater than or equal to 5 mm Hg decrease in PACG uncontrolled on medications. Phacoemulsification in POAG has a high probability of producing a small decrease in IOP that may be useful in early, well-controlled disease. The probability of a clinically significant decrease of greater than or equal to 5 to 6 mm Hg-required for advanced/uncontrolled disease-is low. Results support the role of phacoemulsification in PACG.

[Non-penetrating glaucoma surgery]

Patients at high risk of developing complications (e.g. high myopia, aphakia, advanced visual field defects) benefit from non-penetrating glaucoma surgery (NPGS). Neovascular glaucoma, traumatic glaucoma or patients with a narrow angle (a scleral spur must at least be visible) are not suitable for NPGS. The aim of deep sclerectomy (DS) is mainly external subconjunctival drainage. Modified with mitomycin C and intrascleral implants, intraocular pressure (IOP) and success of DS are comparable to trabeculectomy. Viscocanalostomy and the further development to canaloplasty aim for blebless IOP control. Viscocanalostomy has an extremely low complication profile but only a slight reduction in IOP. Canaloplasty creates much more favourable results. Combined with phacoemulsification canaloplasty appears to lower IOP comparable to phacotrabeculectomy and demonstrates a more sustainable success compared to canaloplasty alone.

There is insufficient evidence to recommend lens extraction as a treatment for primary open-angle glaucoma: an evidence-based perspective

Cataract extraction in primary open-angle glaucoma has not been thought to provide a clinically useful or predictable decrease in IOP. This concept has now been challenged, with the opposite belief being promulgated: namely, that lens exchange should be considered as treatment for glaucoma. This revelation could bring a significant change in the glaucoma treatment paradigm. There are no randomised controlled trials to guide the role of lens extraction in primary open-angle glaucoma. The available evidence suggests at most a modest reduction in IOP from cataract extraction - greater in the presence of pseudoexfoliation - which is likely to be of marginal benefit, and only in milder forms of open-angle glaucoma. There is currently no evidence of any quality to suggest that lens extraction routinely represents a clinically useful treatment for primary open-angle glaucoma.

Different modes of intraocular pressure reduction after three different nonfiltering surgeries and trabeculectomy

PURPOSE

To study the mode of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction based on correlation with the preoperative IOP after filtering and nonfiltering surgeries.

METHODS

Pre- and postsurgical IOPs at 6 months were compared in one eye of each of 789 subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, or ocular hypertension who underwent trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin C alone (Lectomy-MMC) (n = 145), phaco-viscocanalostomy (Phaco-VCS) (n = 320), phaco-trabeculotomy ab externo (Phaco-lotomy) (n = 116), or phacoemulsification aspiration and intraocular lens implantation alone (PEA+IOL) (n = 208).

RESULTS

The correlation between the preoperative and 6-month postoperative IOP was not significant in eyes that underwent Lectomy MMC (r = -0.026, P = 0.7552, IOP reduction 51.9%), but was significant in eyes treated by Phaco-VCS (r = 0.409; IOP reduction, 24.8%) or PEA+IOL alone (r = 0.294; IOP reduction, 9.9%), and was marginal in eyes treated by Phaco-lotomy (P = 0.062; r = 0.174; IOP reduction, 24.1%). Among the four cohorts studied, the variation in the 6-month postoperative IOP was the largest after Lectomy-MMC.

CONCLUSION

After glaucoma surgery, there are two modes of IOP reduction. The postoperative IOP after Lectomy MMC did not correlate with the preoperative IOP, whereas the postoperative IOP levels after Phaco-VCS, Phaco-Lotomy, and PEA+IOL correlated with preoperative IOP levels. We may be able to predict postsurgical IOP after nonfiltering surgery.

Modified deep sclerectomy (D-lectomy MMC) for primary open-angle glaucoma: preliminary results

PURPOSE

To evaluate the outcome of modified deep sclerectomy [D-lectomy mitomycin C (MMC)] for medically refractory glaucoma patients.

METHODS

In a retrospective comparative study, the surgical outcome in 1 eye each of 31 patients who underwent D-lectomy MMC was compared with that of 91 eyes of 91 patients who underwent trabeculectomy with adjunctive MMC. These eyes had a diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, a record of high intraocular pressure (IOP) exceeding 25 mm Hg, and planned for surgical intervention. In the D-lectomy MMC cases, a slit incision at the trabecular meshwork and peripheral iridectomy were created. The "lake" and trabeculo-Descemet membrane ("window") were examined by ultrasound biomicroscope, gonioscopy, and time-domain optical coherence tomography.

RESULTS

Postsurgical IOP at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the D-lectomy MMC and trabeculectomy MMC were comparable (P=0.63-0.97). The filtering bleb was noted in 14 (45%) of the 31 D-lectomy MMC eyes at 3 months, and their survival was significantly less than trabeculectomy MMC subjects in which 81 of 91 eyes had the bleb at 3 months (P<0.0001). The lake was noted in 29 of 31 D-lectomy MMC eyes. The sealing of the once penetrated trabecular meshwork was complete at 3 months in 23 of 29 eyes by ultrasound biomicroscopic and/or gonioscopic examinations, whereas that was incomplete in 6 eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

Addition of a slit incision to the trabecular meshwork and peripheral iridectomy (D-lectomy MMC) improved postsurgical IOP of the deep sclerectomy to the level comparable with trabeculectomy MMC, with a less frequency of the bleb formation.