Anterior pars plana vitrectomy for phakic malignant glaucoma.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Phakic malignant glaucoma is a severe complication following intraocular surgeries like trabeculectomy and peripheral iridectomy.
• Early and effective intervention is crucial for managing this condition to prevent vision loss.

Observation:

• This study observed five cases of phakic malignant glaucoma in four patients.
• Four cases occurred post-trabeculectomy, and one case occurred post-peripheral iridectomy.

Findings:

• A combined surgical technique involving anterior pars plana vitrectomy and intracapsular lens extraction through a corneal incision was employed.
• This treatment successfully restored normal anterior chamber depth in all observed eyes.
• Intraocular pressure was medically controlled in three eyes, while two eyes required an additional filtering procedure for pressure management.

Implications:

• Anterior pars plana vitrectomy with lens extraction presents a viable surgical option for managing phakic malignant glaucoma.
• The procedure demonstrates a favorable safety profile with no serious complications noted during the follow-up period.
• This approach may help preserve visual function in patients experiencing this challenging glaucoma subtype.