Usage of lens thickness for evaluating intraocular pressure control in chronic angle-closure glaucoma after phacoemulsification

Objective To determine the influence of lens thickness (LT) on the clinical outcome of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens(IOL) implantation in chronic angle-closure glaucoma(CACG).Methods Thirty-six eyes with cataract from 30 patients of CACG had phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) was performed before and after the surgery.Participants were assigned to the increased LT group(20 eyes) and the normal LT group(16 eyes) based on the preoperative LT. All patients were followed up for 11~30 weeks.Results The mean postoperative reduction of IOP in the increased LT group was (15.05±3.68)mm Hg immediately after the surgery and (10.42±4.98)mm Hg in the follow-up exams.The corresponding values in the normal LT group were (9.88±4.60)mm Hg and (7.50±4.58)mm Hg respectively.There was significant difference in the success rate between the increased LT group (95.0%) and the normal LT group (62.5%).Conclusions Postoperative and long-term effects of the phacoemulsification and IOL implantation on IOP reduction in CACG patients can be evaluated by preoperative LT with UBM.