Introduction

To assess the efficacy and safety of canaloplasty (CP) alone or in combination with phacoemulsification (PCP) in the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and antiglaucoma medications (meds) usage in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Material and methods

This retrospective study comprised 78 eyes of 75 POAG patients, who underwent CP or PCP in the period from January, 2009 to August, 2016. Intraocular pressure, number of meds, their number of eye drops and bottles, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and number of postoperative complications were evaluated at the baseline and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after CP or PCP.

Results

The mean ±SD IOP of the CP group was 26.9 ±7.7 mmHg at the baseline and 16.9 }6.6 mmHg (p ≤ 0.001) at 24 months postoperatively, while in the PCP group it was 27.2 ±10.8 mmHg and 14.6 ±4.2 mmHg (p ≤ 0.001), respectively. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean ±SD number of meds and the number of eye drops and bottles at 24 months postoperatively in both groups compared to the baseline results. We found no statistically significant difference at any follow-up stage, when comparing the mean }SD of IOP and number of meds between these two groups. The most common postoperative complication after CP and CPP was hyphema.

Conclusions

Canaloplasty alone or in combination with phacoemulsification is an effective and safe procedure in terms of IOP and glaucoma medications’ lowering effect in POAG patients. However, PCP showed slightly better and sustainable postoperative results in comparison to CP.