Efficacy of combined cataract extraction and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation for the reduction of intraocular pressure and medication burden.
OBJECTIVE
To report on the efficacy of combined endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) and phacoemulsification cataract extraction (PCE) with intraocular lens placement for reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication burden in glaucoma.


METHODS
A retrospective case review of 91 eyes (73 patients) with glaucoma and cataract that underwent combined PCE/ECP surgery was performed. Baseline demographic and ocular characteristics were recorded, as well as intraocular pressure, number of glaucoma medications, and visual acuity postoperatively with 12-month follow-up. Treatment failure was defined as less than 20% reduction in IOP from baseline on two consecutive visits (at 1, 3, 6, or 12mo postoperatively), IOP ≥21 mm Hg or ≤5 mm Hg on two consecutive visits, or additional glaucoma surgery performed within 12mo after PCE/ECP.


RESULTS
Overall, mean medicated IOP was reduced from 16.65 mm Hg at baseline to 13.38 mm Hg at 12mo (P<0.0001). Mean number of glaucoma medications was reduced from 1.88 medications at baseline to 1.48 medications at 12mo (P=0.0003). At 3mo postoperatively, the success rate was 73.6% (95%CI: 63.3, 81.5), 57.1% at 6mo (95% CI: 46.3, 66.6), and 49.7% at 12mo (95%CI: 38.9, 59.6). Patient demographic characteristics were not associated with treatment success. The only ocular characteristic associated with treatment success was a higher baseline IOP.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined PCE/ECP surgery is an effective surgical option for the reduction of IOP and medication burden in glaucoma patients. Patients with higher baseline IOP levels are most likely to benefit from this procedure.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Sammie J
SJ
Roberts
Department of Biostatistics, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Matthew
M
Mulvahill
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Jeffrey R
JR
SooHoo
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Mina B
MB
Pantcheva
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Malik Y
MY
Kahook
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Leonard K
LK
Seibold
cataract extraction; endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation; glaucoma