Phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation alone or associated with vitreous aspiration in angle closure glaucoma with concomitant cataract

To observe curative effects of phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation alone or associated with vitreous aspiration in treating angle closure glaucoma (ACG) patients with concomitant cataract. A retrospective comparative analysis of 72 ACG patients (78 eyes) with concomitant cataract was conducted. Patients in group A underwent phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation alone, and patients in group B received phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation associated with vitreous aspiration, respectively. There were no statistical differences in pre-operative average visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior chamber depth (ACD), angle opening distance (AOD) (all P > 0.05). Post-operative VA, IOP, ACD, AOD and the degree of angle opening were all improved in group A and group B as compared with pre-operative levels (all P < 0.05). But there was no obvious difference between group A and group B with respect to VA, IOP, ACD, AOD and the degree of angle opening post-operatively (all P > 0.05). There were incidence of transient high IOP, anterior chamber fibrin and corneal bedewing in both group A and group B post-operatively, with statistical difference between groups (P < 0.05). Phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation alone or associated with vitreous aspiration both resulted in substantial visual recovery, excellent IOP control, and decreased extent of synechial angle closure. Importantly, phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation would be more efficacious in lowering complication rates in ACG patients with concomitant cataract.