Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy in primary angle-closure glaucoma.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma Research
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) poses a significant challenge in glaucoma management.
• Traditional treatments may not always suffice for effective intraocular pressure (IOP) control in PACG.
• Minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries are increasingly explored for PACG.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in patients with PACG.
• To assess the long-term outcomes of GATT in this specific glaucoma subtype.
• To determine the impact of GATT on intraocular pressure and medication requirements.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, interventional, non-comparative case series.
• 103 eyes of 88 patients with PACG underwent ab interno trabeculotomy using a suture or microcatheter.
• Outcomes measured included IOP, medication use, success rate, and complications over 24 months.

Main Results:

• Mean preoperative IOP of 21.4 mmHg decreased to 12.1 mmHg at 24 months (P < 0.05).
• The number of medications decreased from 2.5 to 0.8 postoperatively.
• A success rate of 78% was achieved at 24 months, with a complication rate of 4.8%.

Conclusions:

• GATT is an effective procedure for lowering IOP in primary angle-closure glaucoma.
• The surgical technique demonstrates a favorable safety profile with a low complication rate.
• GATT offers a viable surgical option for managing PACG patients, achieving sustained IOP reduction.