Combined Phacoemulsification-Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation versus Phacoemulsification Alone in Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To compare combined phacoemulsification plus endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) versus phacoemulsification alone in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) with coexisting cataract.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized controlled clinical trial-a pilot study.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-eight PACG eyes of 48 patients with coexisting cataract.

INTERVENTION: Recruited patients were randomized into undergoing phacoemulsification plus ECP or phacoemulsification alone. After surgery, patients were followed up every 3 months for 2 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraocular pressure (IOP) and requirement for topical glaucoma drugs.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven PACG eyes were randomized to receive combined phacoemulsification plus ECP, and 21 PACG eyes underwent phacoemulsification alone. There was no statistically significant difference in mean preoperative IOP between combined phacoemulsification plus ECP and phacoemulsification groups (20.0 mmHg vs. 20.7 mmHg; P = 0.71). Phacoemulsification plus ECP resulted in lower mean postoperative IOP than phacoemulsification alone at all follow-up visits, but the differences only reached statistical significance at 1 month (P = 0.01), 12 months (P = 0.01), and 24 months (P = 0.04) postoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference in mean preoperative number of topical glaucoma drugs between combined phacoemulsification plus ECP and phacoemulsification groups (3.3 vs 3.1, P = 0.71). Combined phacoemulsification plus ECP resulted in lower glaucoma drug requirement than phacoemulsification alone at all follow-up visits, but the differences did not reach statistical significance at any time points postoperatively (P ≥ 0.05). Both groups were comparable in visual improvement, complication rate, need for additional surgical intervention, and visual field changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined phacoemulsification plus ECP is noninferior to phacoemulsification alone in controlling IOP in PACG eyes with cataract. Combined phacoemulsification plus ECP resulted in lower mean IOP and glaucoma drug requirement than phacoemulsification alone at all follow-up visits in this pilot study, but the differences did not reach statistical significance at the majority of time points. A large-scale randomized controlled trial is in progress to evaluate these differences.