Outcome of phacoemulsification in patients with open-angle glaucoma after selective laser trabeculoplasty

PURPOSE: To investigate the outcome of phacoemulsification in selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)-treated eyes. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who had open angle glaucoma (OAG) with previous SLT who underwent phacoemulsification. We evaluated intraocular pressure (IOP), length of glaucoma control without treatment, and antiglaucoma medication or surgery. SLT-treated eyes that did not receive phacoemulsification were retrospectively chosen as a control. We investigated factors related to outcome of phacoemulsification by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: 42 eyes with previous SLT that underwent phacoemulsification and 40 controls were retrospectively evaluated. Phacoemulsification was performed 52 ± 15 months after SLT. After a mean follow-up of 74 ± 21 months, mean IOP was significantly decreased in the phaco group by 2.2 ± 2.7 mmHg (p < 0.001). In the SLT group, mean IOP was decreased by 0.8 ± 2.8 mmHg (p < 0.001). 9 eyes (16.7%) in the phaco group and 11 eyes (19.0%) of the SLT group needed topical treatment, and no eye needed glaucoma surgery in both groups. The factor related to success was higher baseline IOP (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Prior SLT didn’t negatively influence phacoemulsification in patients with OAG. Phacoemulsification lowered IOP effectively and safely in OAG patients who were treated with SLT.