Comparative study of three phacotrabeculectomy procedures through a single incision

The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the effects of three combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy procedures procedures (phacotrabeculectomy) involving intraocular lens implantation through a single incision. Twenty-eight eyes of 28 patients suffering from chronic open angle glaucoma and chronic angle closure glaucoma were enrolled in this study. No-stitch phacotrabeculectomy (Group A), modified T-flap phacotrabeculectomy (Group B) and phacotrabeculectomy with sutures (Group C) were performed in 11, eight, and nine patients respectively, who were followed up for 6 months. At the end of that period, the mean reduction of intraocular pressure was 6.39 mm Hg; in group A, B and C, the reduction was 3.27, 4.87 and 11.55 mm Hg, respectively. The procedure followed in group C was therefore most effective, and there was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p < 0.05). The survival rate of blebs was also marked in group C. There were no apparent differences in terms of visual improvement, complications and number of medications between the groups. This study suggests that the choice of procedure should be determined by the desired degree of pressure reduction.