Phacoemulsification: an alternative for prophylaxis of a glaucomatous crisis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of phacoemulsification for the prophylaxis of a glaucomatous crisis in the affected and contralateral eyes; to investigate the evolution of intraocular pressure levels after iridotomy and phacoemulsification; to assess the need for antiglaucoma medication after the proposed treatments; and to identify potential complications associated with phacoemulsification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective observational study evaluated 22 eyes of 12 patients between September 2006 and September 2018, with a minimum follow-up period of 9 months. RESULTS: After iridotomy, a persistent increase in intraocular pressure was observed in 42.85% of the cases, 100% of the patients required antiglaucoma medications, and recurrence of angle closure was observed in 28.57% of the cases. In contrast, during follow-up of phacoemulsification, the intraocular pressure levels in all eyes evaluated remained normal, without the need for medication, and no recurrence of the glaucomatous crisis or other complications was observed. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification maybe consequently more effective than laser iridotomy for the resolution of angle-closure glaucoma and particularly for preventing its relapses.