Preventive Needling in Patients with Surgically Treated Glaucoma Following Cataract Phacoemulsification

The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the technique of preventive pharmacologic needling in the area of previously performed glaucoma surgery after phacoemulsification of cataract (PEC).

Material and methods. The comparative study included patients who underwent PEC with glaucoma surgery in anamnesis, in the main group after PEC preventive pharmacologic needling was performed, in the control group standard postoperative treatment was performed. The effectiveness of the technique was evaluated by the duration of hypotensive success after PEC, the level of intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of hypotensive drugs used. Safety was analyzed based on the comparison of maximum corrected visual acuity (MCVA) and the probability of complications.

Results. Follow-up showed that 26 (76%) patients in the main group maintained hypotensive success, compared to 19 (50%) patients in the control group (χ2 =4.972, p=0.026). IOP was lower in the main group than in the control group (p=0.045). MCVA and probability of complications did not differ in the studied groups.

Conclusion. The presented study confirms the clinical efficacy and safety of the technique of preventive pharmacologic needling after PEC in patients with operated glaucoma.

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