J.ophthalmol.(Ukraine).2020;5:3-7.
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http://doi.org/10.31288/oftalmolzh2020537 Received: 08 May 2020; Published on-line: 27 October 2020 Efficacy of phacoemulsification combined with goniosynechialysis for primary angle closure glaucoma I. Ia. Novytskyy, R. M. Lopadchak, M. I. Novytskyy Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ophthalmology Department; City Clinical Hospital No.8; Lviv (Ukraine) E-mail: Inovytskyy@gmail.com TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Novytskyy IIa, Lopadchak RM, Novytskyy MI. Efficacy of phacoemulsification combined with goniosynechialysis for primary angle closure glaucoma. J.ophthalmol.(Ukraine).2020;5:3-7. http://doi.org/10.31288/oftalmolzh2020537 Background: To date, no universal surgical strategy exists for primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). Purpose: To assess the clinical efficacy and hypotensive effect of phacoemulsification (phaco) combined with goniosynechialysis (GSL) for the treatment of PACG. Material and Methods: Nine patients (9 eyes; mean age, 63.4 ± 9.6 years) with chronic angle-closure glaucoma who were under our observation were included in this study. Of these, 8 (8 eyes) underwent phaco-GSL, and one (1 eye) underwent GSL at some time after phaco. Failure to control IOP (the IOP higher than 22 mmHg on maximal tolerable hypotensive therapy) and synechial closure of the anterior chamber angle was the indication for surgery. Results: Using the Mori goniolens was helpful in performing GSL in all anterior chamber quadrants. The IOP was 26.33 ± 3.6 mmHg before surgery, 18.44 ± 0.88 mmHg on day 7, 18.44 ± 1.13 mmHg on day 30, and 18.11 ± 1.5 mmHg on day 90. Visual acuity improved from 0.09 ± 0.05 to 0.35 ± 0.2. Mean number of hypotensive medications decreased from 2.8 ± 0.92 pre-surgery to 0.77 ± 0.83 post-surgery. Conclusion: Phacoemulsification in combination with GSL has a good hypotensive effect. Intraoperative visualization of the anterior chamber angle and transection of synechia in all quadrants allows improving the efficacy of GSL procedure. Keywords: phacoemulsification, primary angle closure glaucoma, goniosynechialysis, IOP
Introduction Primary angle closure (PAC) is present when there are features in the eye indicating that trabecular meshwork obstruction by the peripheral iris has occurred. The term glaucoma is added if glaucomatous optic neuropathy is present: primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) [1]. Ethnic background is one of the major factors determining susceptibility to PAC. Among people aged 40 years and over, the prevalence of PAC ranges from 0.1% in Europeans through 1.4% in East Asians and up to 5% in Greenland Inuit. Of those over 40 years old in European derived populations, 0.4% are estimated to have PACG. Three quarters of cases occur in female subjects. There are 1.60 million people in Europe and 581,000 people in the USA with PACG [2]. Thick lens and short axial length are the anatomical features predisposing individuals to PACG, and may result in a pupillary block, shallow anterior chamber, and, consequently, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) [3]. Therefore, extraction of a thick lens seems important for the management of PACG. Several studies have demonstrated that cataract phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation only (phaco) could effectively reduce IOP in PACG [3, 4]. However, phaco alone fails to adequately reduce IOP in patients with chronic angle-closure glaucoma with goniosynechiae [5], and it has been proposed to use goniosynechialysis (GSL) (to break synechia) in combination with phaco in these cases [6, 7]. Phacoemulsification with IOL plus GSL (phaco-GSL) is more effective in reducing IOP than GSL alone [8, 9]. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and hypotensive effect of phaco combined with GSL for the treatment of PACG. Material and Methods Nine patients (9 eyes; 6 women and 3 men; mean age, 63.4 ± 9.6 years) with chronic angle-closure glaucoma (as per the classification scheme from the European Glaucoma Society Terminology and Guidelines for Glaucoma [10]) who were under our observation were included in this study. Of these, 8 (8 eyes) underwent phaco-GSL, and one (1 eye) underwent GSL at some time after phaco. Failure to control IOP (the IOP higher than 22 mmHg on maximal tolerable hypotensive therapy) and synechial closure of the anterior chamber angle was the indication for surgery. Indentation gonioscopy showed synechial closure of the anterior chamber angle in the four quadrants in all affected eyes. Preoperative examination included uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity, refractometry, Maklakoff tonometry (readings obtained with the 10-g Maklakoff tonometer), anterior segment and fundus biomicroscopy, gonioscopy, indentation gonioscopy, ultrasonic ocular biometry, anterior chamber depth and lens thickness measurements, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior chamber angle. The number of hypotensive medications used by patients was recorded, with a dual-action glaucoma drug taken into account as two single-action drugs. Surgery technique A routine phaco chop procedure with a corneal tunnel incision, circular capsulorhexis and posterior chamber IOL implantation into the capsular bag was performed. Gonioscopy was performed intraoperatively to determine whether to perform goniosynechialysis. Viscoelastic was introduced into the anterior chamber to make it deeper and to open the iridocorneal angle into the anterior chamber, especially at the sites of the anterior chamber angle. A Mori goniolens was used to visualize the anterior chamber angle. Goniosynechialysis was performed if goniosynechiae were present. To this end, a spatula introduced through a corneal paracentesis was used to push the iris root circumferentially in an attempt to make the anterior chamber angle completely open (Fig. 1). The ability to visualize the trabeculae was evidence of success of transection of synechia (Fig. 2). Thereafter, viscoelastic was removed by irrigation/aspiration, and paracenteses were hydrated.
Postoperatively, topical broad spectrum antibiotics and topical dexamethasone eye drops were administered five times daily, and pilocarpine 1%, three times daily for ten days. After postoperative day 10, dexamethasone was tapered to three times daily for 20 days. Hypotensive eye drops were withdrawn postoperatively and re-administered depending on the IOP level. The efficacy criteria were the presence and type of peri- and post-operative complications, openness of the anterior chamber angle, IOP reduction and improvement in visual acuity. Success of glaucoma surgery was defined as IOP below 22 mmHg (readings obtained with the 10-g Maklakoff tonometer) with or without hypotensive therapy. Postoperatively, examinations were performed and IOP was measured at day 1, day 7, month 1 and month 3. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Lviv National Medical University and the study adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. Measures to ensure safety, health, rights and dignity of patients and to adhere to ethical standards were taken when conducting the study. Data are presented as mean and standard deviation (SD). Student's t-test was used for normally distributed variables. Results In one case, there was mild intraoperative hemorrhage from iris vessels during transection of synechia; this, however, did not compromise surgery. Anterior chamber hemorrhage was removed during irrigation/aspiration. A Mori goniolens was helpful in achieving transection of synechia in all the quadrants. On the day after surgery, all the eyes were quiet and showed no signs of inflammation. In addition, the anterior chamber was of moderate depth and, excluding the three cases that had experienced preoperative pupil paresis, the pupil was round and mobile. On day 7 after surgery, gonioscopy showed a completely open angle in all the quadrants in 6 eyes, in 3 quadrants in 4 eyes, and in 2 quadrants in 2 eyes. Open angle of the anterior chamber was defined as one where the trabecular meshwork was visible, i.e., restored aqueous access to the trabecular meshwork. Gonioscopy data were confirmed by anterior chamber angle OCT. Anterior chamber depth increased in all operated-on eyes, the mean pre- and post-operative values being 2.39 ± 0.27 mm and 3.38 ± 0.38 mm, respectively. In addition, the IOP decreased to below 22 mmHg in all operated-on eyes. Table 1 presents mean IOP values before and at time points after surgery.
The mean number of medications decreased from 2.80±0.92 before to 0.77±0.83 after surgery, and the difference was significant (р < 0.01). BCVA improved in 6 patients and remained stable in 3 patients. The mean BCVA increased from 0.09 ± 0.05 to 0.35 ± 0.20 (р < 0.01). Example case A 57-year-old patient was admitted with a diagnosis of “grade 2b open angle glaucoma OU, moderate hyperopia OU, optic nerve pit OD, and amblyopia OS” on October 25, 2019. At presentation, UCVA OD was 0.07 and BCVA OD was 0.7 with a spherical correction of +5.5D. In addition, UCVA OS was hand motion and BCVA OS was 0.02 with a spherical correction of +5.5D. The IOP OD was 34 mm Hg and the IOP OS was 31 mm Hg (The patient was taking Azarga twice daily and Luxfen once daily for both eyes). On examination OU, the conjunctiva was pale pink, the cornea smooth and transparent, the anterior chamber somewhat shallow, the iris unremarkable, the pupil sluggish and round, and vitreous transparent. In addition, mild lens opacification was observed. In the fundus OD, the optic disc was somewhat pale, its margins clear, vessels of regular caliber, and redistribution of macular pigment could be seen. Gonioscopy showed closed angles in all quadrants OD (Fig. 3). Anterior chamber angle width was 12° in the nasal quadrant and 15° in the temporal quadrant OD (Fig. 4). Ultrasonic ocular biometry found that lens thickness was 5.1 mm OD. The patient was diagnosed with “grade 2c angle closure glaucoma, severe hyperopia OU, optic nerve pit OD, and severe amblyopia OS”. He underwent phacoemulsification OD on October 30, 2019. On day 1 after surgery, UCVA OD was 0.2, and IOP OD was normal on palpation. On day 7 after surgery, UCVA OD was 0.4, BCVA OD was 0.7 with a cylindrical correction of -0.75D, and IOP OD was 24 mmHg (the patient was taking Azarga twice daily and pilocarpine 1% thrice daily). Gonioscopy OD showed a narrow angle of the anterior chamber, adhesion of the peripheral iris to the trabecular meshwork in the upper quadrants, partially open angle in the lower quadrants, and mildly pigmented trabecular meshwork.
The patient underwent goniosynechialysis due to poor IOP control on December 11, 2019. On day 10 after surgery, UCVA OD was 0.7, and IOP was 19 mmHg. The patient was taking pilocarpine 1% thrice daily. At month 3 postoperatively, UCVA OD was 0.7, and IOP was 19 mmHg without medication. Gonioscopy OD (Fig. 5) and OCT OD (Fig. 6) showed an open anterior chamber angle in all quadrants and mildly pigmented trabecular meshwork.
Discussion The case presented stresses the value of gonioscopy in the diagnosis of angle closure glaucoma (the patient came to us with a diagnosis of open angle glaucoma). The main reason to distinguish PACG from primary open angle glaucoma is the initial therapeutic approach and the possible late complications (particularly, synechial closure of the chamber angle) [10]. To date, gonioscopy is the only technique that can reliably diagnose PACG. PAC becomes more likely as the separation between the iris and the trabecular meshwork decreases. The risk of iridotrabecular contact in a “narrow” angle begins to increase once the iridotrabecular angle is ≤ 20°. There is not a precise extent of gonioscopically evident iridotrabecular contact which will dictate the indication to treatment for all cases [11]. Clinical reports of phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implantation in the treatment of acute, chronic and secondary angle-closure glaucoma describe very favorable results. The appropriate role of lensectomy in the management of primary angle-closure, however, remains unproven. The hypotensive effect of phacoemulsification is the release of pupil block and anterior chamber deepening, whereas GSL opens the anterior chamber angle and restores aqueous outflow through the anterior chamber angle filtration apparatus [4, 10]. Our example case demonstrates inadequate efficacy of phacoemulsification only for synechial angle-closure glaucoma. In this case, the patient underwent GSL soon after phacoemulsification, which resulted in normalization of the IOP. The treatment outcome of this case demonstrates that it is phacoemulsification in combination with GSL that is appropriate for synechial angle-closure glaucoma. Tian and colleagues [1] found that, in the chronic angle-closure glaucoma group, IOP decreased from 26.00 ± 11.2 mmHg to 14.93 ± 2.7 mmHg after phaco-GSL surgery. Harasymowycz and colleagues [8] found that phacoemulsification and goniosynechialysis (PEGS) decreased mean IOP by 25 mm Hg, and a more apparent hypotensive effect of the surgical procedure was associated with a high average preoperative IOP (40.7 mm Hg) due to acute PACG. The advantage our approach is that we perform intraoperative synechial angle closure diagnostics after phacoemulsification. After phacoemulsification, we introduced viscoelastic into the anterior chamber to make the latter deeper, especially at the site of the anterior chamber angle. Tang and colleagues [12] used a technique for transection of synechia which is similar to ours. We used this technique for intraoperative gonioscopy and for effective GSL in the presence of synechiae. The advantage of using the Mori goniolens is that it allows the procedure to be performed without tilting the microscope or the eye and can be performed in an upright position. What is most important is that this goniolens is helpful in performing GSL in all anterior chamber quadrants. We believe that this technique improves the efficacy of GSL procedure. Phacoemulsification in combination with GSL has a good hypotensive effect and may be a procedure of choice for synechial angle closure glaucoma. Intraoperative visualization of the anterior chamber angle and transection of synechia in all quadrants allows improving the efficacy of GSL procedure.
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The authors certify that they have no conflicts of interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.
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