Role of phacoemulsification in angle closure glaucoma

Cataract or clear Lens extraction has been suggested as a treatment option for different spectrums of primary angle closure diseases. It might reduce the risk of progression of angle closure and/or glaucoma by helping to open the angle and control the intraocular pressure (IOP). Conventionally, medically uncontrolled primary angle closure glaucoma was treated with trabeculectomy or phacotrabeculectomy and acute primary angle closure was treated with laser peripheral iridotomy. However, recent randomized controlled trials have demonstrated greater promise of phacoemulsification cataract surgery alone for control of the IOP. In this report we review the current literature to evaluate the impact of cataract surgery upon preventing and controlling primary angle closure diseases.