Evaluation of phacoemulsification (ultrasound) cataract surgery on the dynamics of the anterior segment of primary angle closure by AS-OCT

Am J Transl Res. 2021 Apr 15;13(4):3156-3164. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Objective: To explore the changes of anatomical biological parameters and dynamic parameters of the anterior segment (AS) before and after primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) surgery.

Methods: The clinical data of 82 patients (82 eyes) who underwent phacoemulsification in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed and divided into group A (angle closure, n = 38) and group B (normal open angle, n = 44). The anatomical biological parameters and dynamic parameters were compared between the two groups before and after surgery.

Results: Compared with group B, group A had smaller anterior chamber depth, higher vaulting, greater iris curvature, and smaller TISA500. Compared with group B, group A had smaller ΔTISA500 and ΔI-area. Compared with group B, the TISA500 was smaller in group A preoperatively, at 1 week, and 1 month after surgery (P < 0.05). The iris curvature was larger in group A (P < 0.05). The ΔI-area was significantly reduced in group B at 1 week and 1 month after surgery. Group B exhibited smaller ΔI-curv than group A at 1 week and 1 month after surgery (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) can effectively monitor the dynamic changes (DC) of the AS caused by phacoemulsification in patients with primary angle closure (PAC). Phacoemulsification can open the primary of PAC patients. However, their iris area does not change significantly. The biological characteristics of the iris itself may be a risk factor leading to PAC.

Keywords: AS-OCT; anterior segment; cataract; dynamic changes; phacoemulsification; primary angle closure glaucoma.