Phaco with deep sclerectomy had similar outcomes to phaco with trabeculectomy

No statistically significant differences were seen between the IOP and visual outcomes of phacoemulsification with deep sclerectomy and phaco with trabeculectomy, according to a retrospective comparative study. There was, however, a significantly higher frequency of bleb leaks with trabeculectomy, according to the study authors.

C.L. Funnell and colleagues in England retrospectively compared 59 eyes of 59 patients undergoing phaco with deep sclerectomy to 38 eyes of 38 patients undergoing phaco with trabeculectomy. Intraoperative mitomycin C was used in all cases.

The probability of maintaining IOP below 19 mm Hg with a 30% drop from preop IOP and without additional medication at the 1 year mark for patients who underwent deep sclerectomy was 77.6%; the probability for maintaining an IOP below 15 mm Hg in the deep sclerectomy group was 71.5% at the 1 year mark.

The probability of maintaining IOP below 19 mm Hg with a 30% drop from preop IOP and without additional medication at the 1 year mark for patients who underwent phaco with trabeculectomy was 89.5%; the probability for maintaining an IOP below 15 mm Hg at the 1 year follow-up was 89.5% in the trabeculectomy group.

These differences were not statistically significant.

Delayed bleb leaks were seen in seven eyes in the trabeculectomy group.

The study is published in the June issue of British Journal of Ophthalmology.