Outcomes of Nd: YAG Goniopuncture After Viscocanalostomy/Phacoviscocanalostomy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laser goniopuncture (LGP) to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) post-viscocanalostomy (VC)/phacoviscocanalostomy (PVC). Outcomes include: IOP reduction from pre-LGP levels and the need for further topical antiglaucomatous medication or surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 541 eyes that underwent VC/PVC between 2009 and 2012, at the Stanley eye unit in Abergele were included in the study.

INCLUSION CRITERIA: All patients who had LGP at any timepoint after VC/PVC when target IOP was not achieved +/- progression in visual field with at least 6 months of follow-up data.Statistical analysis was performed on IOP values pre- and post-LGP, involving χ, Fischer exact, Mann-Whitney U, and Wilcoxon tests. A P-value of <0.05 was accepted as the level of significance.

RESULTS: Of the 515 included eyes, 136 (26%) required LGP after a mean of 15.11±9.73 months after surgery (95% confidence interval, 13.46-16.76 mo), ranging from 1 to 42 months. LGP reduced IOP significantly from a mean of 22.92±5.80 to 17.08±5.30 mm Hg immediately for all eyes, a reduction of 5.84 mm Hg (or a 25% reduction) (P<0.0001). IOP significantly reduced in the VC group with a mean reduction of 7.60 mm Hg compared with 4.85 mm Hg in the PVC group immediately after the procedure (P=0.0038). LGP was required sooner in the VC group compared with PVC, 11.35 and 14.57 months, respectively (P=0.0393). A total of 69 (62%) eyes were commenced on topical IOP-lowering medications, mean 7.26±6.41 months after LGP.

CONCLUSIONS: This study supports previous evidence that LGP enhances the IOP-lowering success of VC/PVC. The advantages of LGP are that it is a minimally invasive clinic-based procedure with a low complication rate.