Phacoemulsification and Trabeculotomy Combined With Goniosynechialysis for Uncontrollable Chronic Angle-Closure Glaucoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To assess and explore the effectiveness of phacoemulsification and trabeculotomy combined with goniosynechialysis in lowering intraocular pressure in eyes with uncontrollable chronic angle-closure glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical charts of 24 eyes of 22 patients with chronic angle-closure glaucoma were reviewed retrospectively. The probability of successful treatment in 12 eyes that had earlier glaucoma attacks and 12 that did not have an attack were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis with the target pressure set at 15 mm Hg. RESULTS: Mean preoperative intraocular pressure for all eyes was 33.3 +/- 12.0 mm Hg and decreased to 11.8 +/- 2.3 mm Hg. The success rate was 86.6% at 1 year after surgery. Life-table analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification and trabeculotomy combined with goniosynechialysis is an effective surgical treatment for chronic angle-closure glaucoma in eyes with or without a previous glaucoma attack.