Determinants of long-term intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification in primary angle-closure glaucoma.

AIMS: To determine the preoperative factors associated with long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) after cataract surgery in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG).

METHODS

The data of 56 PACG patients who had undergone phacoemulsification consecutively were analyzed after detailed chart review. The associations between postoperative IOP and various preoperative factors were determined by multivariate linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

The mean postoperative follow-up was of 33.0±13.6 months. The postoperative IOP decreased (P<0.05 at each visit) from the preoperative level over the years, with a mean percent reduction of 20%. Glaucoma medication number also reduced significantly, except at month 30 (P=0.088), 36 (P=0.585), and 48 (P=0.104). Preoperative factors of higher IOP (P<0.001) and deeper anterior chamber depth (ACD) (P=0.006) were associated with higher postoperative IOP over the years. The multiplication product IOP×ACD accounted for 49% of the IOP variations 1 year after surgery, and eyes with this index less than or equal to 35 were more likely to achieve postoperative IOP readings of less than or equal to 12 mm Hg (odds ratio, 9.2, P=0.001) than those with an index more than 35.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term IOP after phacoemulsification in PACG is positively associated with preoperative IOP and preoperative ACD.