Evaluation of the Outcomes of One-Site Combined Phacotrabeculectomy Using Sutureless Tunnel Technique Without Peripheral Iridectomy in Open Angle Glaucoma Patients

Purpose: To evaluate the results of one-site phacotrabeculectomy using sutureless tunnel technique without peripheral iridectomy (no-PI) in glaucoma patients with cataract Methods: A retrospective study of cases which has been recorded of patients who have had onesite no-PI phacotrabeculectomy using sutureless tunnel technique. We collected pre- and postoperative data in all patients including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of anti-glaucoma medications. Surgical success was defined as the final IOP<21 mmHg and ≥20% reduction from preoperative IOP for criteria A, and final IOP<18 mmHg and ≥30% reduction from baseline for criteria B. Success was further divided into incomplete when anti-glaucoma medications were needed postoperatively and complete when no anti-glaucoma medications were used). Results: Forty eight eyes of 48 patients were recruited into the study. Mean (SD) age of the patients was 70.1 (8.8) years. Mean value of IOP before surgery was 27.1 (SD=6.4), and it decreased significantly at all follow-up visits after surgery (p<0.001). At final follow-up, mean IOP was 15.8 (SD=3.7) mmHg (p<0.001). Mean number of anti-glaucoma medications decreased from 2.6 (SD=1.2) preoperatively to 0.7 (SD=1.4) at the last follow-up visit (p<0.001). Mean logMAR BCVA improved from preoperative level of 0.97 to 0.33 at the final follow-up visit (p<0.001). For criteria A, qualified and complete success rates were 81.2% and 64.6%, and for criteria B these rates were 66.7% and 56.2%, respectively. Conclusion: One-site no-PI sutureless tunnel phacotrabeculectomy leads to a significant reduction in IOP and helps to improve visual acuity in glaucoma patients with cataract.