Phacoemulsification: an alternative for prophylaxis of a glaucomatous crisis

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of phacoemulsification for the prophylaxis of a glaucomatous crisis in the affected and contralateral eyes; to investigate the evolution of intraocular pressure levels after iridotomy and phacoemulsification; to assess the need for antiglaucoma medication after the proposed treatments; and to identify potential complications associated with phacoemulsification.

Patients and methods

This retrospective observational study evaluated 22 eyes of 12 patients between September 2006 and September 2018, with a minimum follow-up period of 9 months.

Results

After iridotomy, a persistent increase in intraocular pressure was observed in 42.85% of the cases, 100% of the patients required antiglaucoma medications, and recurrence of angle closure was observed in 28.57% of the cases. In contrast, during follow-up of phacoemulsification, the intraocular pressure levels in all eyes evaluated remained normal, without the need for medication, and no recurrence of the glaucomatous crisis or other complications was observed.

Conclusion

Phacoemulsification maybe consequently more effective than laser iridotomy for the resolution of angle-closure glaucoma and particularly for preventing its relapses.

Keywords:

• intraocular pressure
• glaucoma
• angle-closure glaucoma
• phacoemulsification

Ethics approval and informed consent

This study was reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of UNOESC under number 826.475/2014.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to the data analysis and article drafting and provided final approval of the version to be published and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.