Impact of phacoemulsification on failure of trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C.

PURPOSE To evaluate whether phacoemulsification after trabeculectomy affects postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP). SETTING Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan. DESIGN Cohort study. METHODS The medical records of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or exfoliation glaucoma who had trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C were reviewed. The primary endpoints were condition A (persistent postoperative IOP 21 mm Hg or higher or additional glaucoma procedures with or without medications) and condition B (postoperative IOP 18 mm Hg or higher or additional glaucoma procedures with or without medications). Multivariable analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS The records of 178 patients (178 eyes) were reviewed. The mean follow-up was 37.0 months. For condition A, the probability of treatment success at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years was 97.9%, 95.0%, and 92.7%, respectively. For condition B, the corresponding probabilities of success were 92.3%, 84.1%, and 81.8%. Thirty-seven patients (37 eyes) had phacoemulsification after trabeculectomy; 10 of those patients had phacoemulsification within 1 year after trabeculectomy. Multivariate analysis showed that a higher IOP before trabeculectomy was a significant risk factor for condition A and condition B (P=.01 and P=.0006, respectively); phacoemulsification within 1 year after trabeculectomy was significantly associated with trabeculectomy failure for condition B (P=.04). CONCLUSION Postoperative IOP in eyes with previous trabeculectomy may be affected by the IOP before trabeculectomy and phacoemulsification within 1 year after trabeculectomy. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.