Preliminary outcomes of primary phacoemulsification plus intraocular lens implantation for primary angle-closure glaucoma.

PURPOSE To evaluate effects and safety of primary phacoemulsification plus intraocular lens implantation for controlled chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG) or primary angle-closure (PAC). DESIGN Prospective, non-randomized comparative trial. METHODS Two treatment groups were used. The IOL group included the use of phacoemulsification plus intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in 27 eyes. The LI group included treatment by laser iridotomy (LI) in 23 eyes. Intraocular pressure (IOP), numbers of anti-glaucoma medications, complications, and corneal endothelial cell counts were examined in each group. RESULTS In the IOL group, IOP was significantly reduced from a preoperative mean of 14.8 +/- 4.2 mmHg to a 6-month-postoperative mean of 10.8 +/- 1.6 mmHg (P < .05). However, in the LI group, mean preoperative IOP was 15.5 +/- 4.1 mmHg, and the 6-month-postoperative IOP was 14.7 +/- 4.7 mmHg (P = .76). In the IOL group, no patient used anti-glaucoma medications 6-month postoperatively, whereas in the LI group, mean number of anti-glaucoma medications was 0.2 +/- 0.4 (P < .05). There were no significant differences in preoperative and postoperative corneal endothelial cell counts between IOL and LI groups (P = .39). CONCLUSIONS Primary phacoemulsification plus intraocular lens implantation for controlled CACG or PAC seems to be a safe and effective method in reducing IOP. This procedure might become the first treatment of choice for controlled CACG or PAC with cataract.