Visual preservation and surgical outcomes of phacogoniotomy in end-stage glaucoma: A multicenter study

To evaluate the visual preservation, safety, and surgical outcomes of phacogoniotomy (phacoemulsification combined with or without goniosynechialysis and goniotomy) in patients with end-stage glaucoma.

This multicenter retrospective study included 134 eyes of 128 patients (92 primary angle-closure glaucoma [PACG] and 42 primary open-angle glaucoma [POAG]) with end-stage glaucoma (defined as inability to perform perimetry or visual acuity ≤ 20/200). Patients underwent phacogoniotomy and were followed ≥ 12 months. Main outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), medication burden, and complications, with specific attention to the "wipe-out" phenomenon.

At a mean follow-up of 19.2 ± 8.0 months, no cases of "wipe-out" (sudden, immediate, irreversible central vision loss) occurred. BCVA improved in 63.1% of eyes and remained stable in 30.3%. The mean IOP decreased significantly from 31.4 ± 9.7 mm Hg to 14.1 ± 3.3 mm Hg (P < 0.001) and mean number of medications dropped from 2.2 ± 1.4-0.6 ± 1.0 (P < 0.001). Complete success rate was 67.9% overall, with 76.1% for PACG and 50.0% for POAG (P = 0.005). Qualified success rate was 97.0% overall, with 96.7% for PACG and 97.6% for POAG (P = 0.695). The most common complications were transient hyphema (11.2%) and IOP spike (3.7%).

In end-stage glaucoma, phacogoniotomy is a safe and effective procedure that significantly lowers IOP while preserving or improving vision in > 90% of cases. The procedure may reduce the risk of "wipe-out" associated with traditional filtration surgery and appears particularly effective in eyes with angle-closure mechanisms.