Kahook Dual-Blade Goniotomy with and without Phacoemulsification in Medically Uncontrolled Glaucoma

To evaluate the 2-year efficacy and safety of Kahook dual-blade (KDB) goniotomy in patients with medically uncontrolled glaucoma.

This was a retrospective case-series study of 90 consecutive patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) that underwent KDB goniotomy alone (KDB-alone group) or KDB goniotomy in combination with phacoemulsification (KDB-phaco group) during 2019-2020. All patients were uncontrolled on three or more medications. Surgical success was defined as an IOP reduction ≥20% and/or a reduction of one or more medications at 24 months. We also report IOP levels and number of medications from baseline to 24 months, as well as the need for further glaucoma interventions.

At 24 months, mean IOP had reduced from 24.8±8.3 to 15.0±5.3 mmHg in the KDB-alone group (P<0.001) and from 22.3±5.8 to 13.9±3.0 mmHg in the KDB-phaco group (P<0.001). Medications had reduced from 3.5±0.6 to 3.1±0.9 in the KDB-alone group (P=0.047) and from 3.3±0.5 to 2.3±1.1 in the KDB-phaco group (P<0.001). An IOP reduction ≥20% and/or a reduction with one or more medications was achieved by 47% of eyes in the KDB-alone group and by 76% of eyes in the KDB-phaco group. Eyes with PEXG and POAG responded equally well to the success criteria. During the 24-month follow-up, additional glaucoma surgery or transscleral photocoagulation was performed in 28% of eyes in the KDB-alone group and in 12% of eyes in the KDB-phaco group.

In patients with medically uncontrolled glaucoma, KDB had a significant IOP-lowering effect after 24 months, but success rates were higher when KDB was performed in combination with cataract surgery compared to stand-alone treatment.