Surgical Efficacy After Viscogonioplasty in Primary Angle Closure Disease with Different Mechanisms.

PRECIS

Non-pupillary block mechanisms are associated with larger postoperative peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) extent at 1-year follow-up compared to pupillary block mechanisms in primary angle-closure disease (PACD).

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of preoperative angle-closure mechanisms on surgical outcomes of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation (PEI) combined with VGP in PACD patients with cataracts.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective cohort study enrolled 56 patients (68 eyes) with PACD and cataracts. Participants were classified into pupillary block (PB) and non-pupillary block (Non-PB) groups based on the anatomical characteristics of angle closure shown in preoperative ultrasound biomicroscopy imaging. Primary outcomes included peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) extent, intraocular pressure (IOP), and number of IOP-lowering medications over a 12-month follow-up period.

RESULTS

Both groups showed significant reductions in PAS extent at the end of surgery compared to the baseline. At 6 and 12 months postoperatively, the Non-PB group exhibited significantly larger PAS extent compared to the PB group (P=0.025 and P=0.017, respectively). Both groups demonstrated significant IOP reduction and decreased use of IOP-lowering medications postoperatively, with no significant differences between groups. The overall complete and qualified success rates at 12 months were 71.6% and 98.5%, respectively, with no significant difference between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-PB mechanisms are associated with larger postoperative PAS extent at 1-year follow-up compared to PB mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive preoperative angle-closure mechanisms assessment in predicting and potentially minimizing PAS progression for enhanced long-term surgical efficacy in PACD treatment.