Small incision cataract surgery with trabeculectomy versus phacoemulsification trabeculectomy in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate efficacy and outcomes of manual small incision cataract surgery with trabeculectomy (Group 1) and phacoemulsification with trabeculectomy (Group 2) in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG). METHODS: In this retrospective comparative observational case series, All patients with PXG who underwent either small incision cataract surgery or phacoemulsification with trabeculectomy from 2011-2015 were studied. Data compared included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), total surgical time, and incidence of intra/postoperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 82 (Group 1) and 64 (Group 2) subjects were included for the study. The baseline IOP and anti-glaucoma medications in both groups were comparable pre-operatively (group 1 = 26 ± 10.3 mmHg, group 2 = 23 ± 13.9 mmHg, P = 0.1). The IOP at final follow up between the two groups was not statistically significant (group 1 = 12 ± 3.2 mmHg, group 2 = 14 ± 1.8 mmHg, P = 0.2). The average total time of surgery (group 1 = 40 ± 21.6 min, group 2 = 34 ± 14.8 min, P = 0.4) was not statistical significant between groups. The incidence of post-operative complications were similar in both groups (P = 0.95). CONCLUSION: Manual small incision cataract surgery with trabeculectomy is noninferior in PXG patients with comparable surgical outcomes, when compared with phacoemulsification with trabeculectomy.