Outcomes and Reasons for Late Presentation of Lens Induced Glaucoma: A Prospective Study.

PURPOSE

To determine the clinical outcomes and causes of late presentation in lens induced glaucoma (LIG).

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred sixty-five patients with LIG who underwent cataract surgery.

METHODS

Preoperative data collection included a questionnaire about reasons for late presentation, socioeconomic status, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and the lens and angle status of the fellow eye. All patients underwent manual small-incision cataract surgery. Postoperative vision, IOP, the anterior segment, and the fundus were evaluated at days 1, 15, and 30.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Reasons for late presentation, status of the fellow eyes, and surgical outcomes, including visual acuity and IOP at the 1-month postoperative visit.

RESULTS

Mean age at presentation was 63.8 years, and the female-to-male ratio was 1.4:1. Of the entire cohort, 70.3% were phacolytic and 29.7% had phacomorphic glaucoma. The main causes for late presentation was nonfinancial (81.2%); of these, good vision in fellow eye and lack of escort to the hospital were the major reasons. Most fellow eyes were pseudophakic (72.1%). After surgery, 75.6% gained best-corrected visual acuity of 6/18 or more. Six percent experienced poor visual recovery (≤6/60) with optic atrophy as the major cause. Only 7.9% required further glaucoma management in the form of topical medications. Delayed presentation (>15 days) was associated with poor visual outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonfinancial causes, including good vision in the fellow eye and lack of escort, were the major determinants of late presentation. Most patients were pseudophakic in the fellow eye. After cataract extraction, only a few LIG patients required further glaucoma management.