Vitrectomy-phacoemulsification-vitrectomy for the management of aqueous misdirection syndromes in phakic eyes

To describe vitrectomy-phacoemulsification-vitrectomy, a sequential 3-step surgical approach, in the management of malignant glaucoma/aqueous misdirection syndromes in phakic eyes.

Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.

Five eyes (4 angle-closure glaucoma and 1 open-angle glaucoma) of 5 patients with mean age of 66 years (range, 56-78). Four patients presented with aqueous misdirection syndrome and 1 patient presented for cataract extraction, having previously had malignant glaucoma in the fellow eye after phacoemulsification surgery.

The operation performed had three steps: vitrectomy, phacoemulsification, and vitrectomy. Step 1: Preliminary vitrectomy involved limited core vitrectomy to "debulk" the vitreous and soften the eye. Step 2: Phacoemulsification was performed in a standard manner. Step 3: Residual vitrectomy, zonulohyaloidectomy and peripheral iridectomy (if not already present) were performed to create a free communication between the posterior and anterior segments.

Intraocular pressure, visual acuity, biomicroscopic anterior chamber depth, and complications.

The time interval between the onset of malignant glaucoma and surgery ranged from 2 weeks to 3 months. All 4 patients with aqueous misdirection syndrome had relief of the aqueous misdirection postoperatively with anterior chamber deepening. Intraocular pressures on day 1 ranged from 6 to 28 mmHg (mean 15.6, mmHg), and at the last visit ranged from 8 to 30 mmHg (mean, 20.4 mmHg). One eye developed an early choroidal serosanguinous effusion requiring drainage.

The vitrectomy-phacoemulsification-vitrectomy approach was effective in this pilot series in the management of aqueous misdirection syndromes and malignant glaucoma in phakic eyes.