Phacolytic Glaucoma—Outcome of Phacoemulsification
Purpose
Phacolytic glaucoma is very common in developing countries due to late presentation of cataract and often phacoemulsification is not attempted because of the poor visibility. But phacoemulsification could be performed on these cataracts and this study is to evaluate the safety and outcome of phacoemulsification on phacolytic glaucoma.
Methods
This is retrospective analysis of data on interventional case series. Phacoemulsification was offered on all phacolytics attend on eye unit from November 2013 to August 2014. Preoperative Intraocular pressure and inflammation control was attempted with topical and systemic medications. Intracameral anesthesia injected after main wound and capsulorrhexis was attempted with trypan blue and cohesive viscoelastic. Phacoemulsification performed with equator chop technique. Data were analyzed on patient demographics, surgical complications and postoperative follow-up.
Results
Thirteen eyes of 13 patients. Majority of patients (08) were between 50-70 years group and all except one presented with fellow eye pseudophakia. Topical and intracameral anesthesia used on 09 eyes. Epithelial scraping to enhance visibility done on 04 eyes and wound suturing done on 05. All had successful phacoemulsification except 02 eyes with phacolytic with pseudoexfoliation ended up intracapsular extraction.
Conclusion
Phacoemulsification on phacolytic glaucoma is challenging but phacoemulsification can be performed safely. Even though this is a small case series, results were promising and this encourages surgeons to offer the option of phacoemulsification on phacolytic glaucoma. Outcome would be further improved on exposing to more number of cases and study of more number of cases would be useful.