Treatment Preferences and Factors Influencing the Management of Primary Angle-Closure Suspect in China: A National Survey Study

Fei Yang; Huijuan Wu

doi:10.1007/s40123-023-00828-4

Treatment Preferences and Factors Influencing the Management of Primary Angle-Closure Suspect in China: A National Survey Study

Ophthalmol Ther. 2024 Jan;13(1):113-125. doi: 10.1007/s40123-023-00828-4. Epub 2023 Oct 24.

Authors

Fei Yang^{1

2}, Huijuan Wu³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China.
² Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University People's Hospital, Eye Diseases and Optometry Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, College of Optometry, Peking University Health Science Center, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China.
³ Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University People's Hospital, Eye Diseases and Optometry Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, College of Optometry, Peking University Health Science Center, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China. dr_wuhuijuan@126.com.

Abstract

Introduction: This study explored the current views of ophthalmologists in China on the preferred strategy and the primary influencing factors in managing primary angle-closure suspect (PACS).

Methods: An online survey was distributed via WeChat to ophthalmologists working in hospitals at all levels throughout China to investigate the optimal management strategy and factors influencing the strategy for treating PACS from February to March 2023. Management strategies examined included regular observation (RO), laser peripheral iridectomy (LPI), and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation (PEI). The study explored the factors that influenced clinical decision-making processes and collected demographic information from the respondents for analysis.

Results: A total of 1009 ophthalmologists responded; 442 responders considered RO as a reasonable option for patients with PACS, while the majority opted for more positive treatments, with 460 choosing LPI and 107 selecting PEI. Further grouping analysis revealed significant differences between tertiary and lower-level hospitals (P < 0.01) and between public and private hospitals (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found among resident, attending, and senior doctors and between northern and southern hospitals. The top three considerations for ophthalmologists who selected RO were ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) without pupillary block, absence of a family history of glaucoma, and good compliance with regular follow-up. For LPI, the factors were UBM indicating pupillary block, glaucoma symptoms, and poor compliance with regular follow-up. For PEI the factors were age, family history of glaucoma, and poor compliance with regular follow-up.

Conclusion: The majority of ophthalmologists prefer aggressive treatments such as LPI or PEI over RO when dealing with patients with PACS. Disparity existed among ophthalmologists based on their level of experience, hospital ownership and level, and geographical location. The survey underscores the complexity and multifactorial nature of PACS management and highlights the need for further research and standardization of treatment protocols to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Keywords: Laser peripheral iridectomy; Management; Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation; Primary angle-closure suspect; Regular observation.

Abstract

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