Long-term follow-up of phacotrabeculectomy surgery in Tanzania.

Introduction: The glaucomas often co-exist with cataract. We previously reported a large trial of anti-scarring treatment in combined phacotrabeculectomy surgery. Long-term outcomes in an African population are extremely rarely reported. We present here the outcomes in IOP, acuity, bleb morphology and patient perceptions at 3-5-years post surgery.

Methods: Tanzanian patients with glaucoma and visually significant cataract underwent combined phacotrabeculectomy surgery. In November 2015 an attempt was made to contact all participants in the study inviting them for a repeat examination. All who attended were given a detailed examination. A semi-structured interview in Swahili was administrated to determine patient experience and satisfaction with the surgery.

Results: Sixty-eight (23%) attended for repeat review in 2015. The mean time from original surgery was 4.5-years (range 2.3-6.6-years). Overall 53 (78%) had IOP < 21 mm Hg and 29 (43%) an IOP < 16 mm Hg at final follow-up. A flat bleb at 26 and 100 days was associated with failure by IOP criteria at 4.5-years post-operatively. A vascular bleb at those time points was not any more associated with late failure than a non-vascular bleb. A majority of patients were pleased with the surgery. The cost of surgery is high but it is a price patients were willing to pay. Nearly all patients (95%) would recommend the service to family and friends.

Discussion: Owing to the small proportion reviewed, our conclusions are severely limited. Phacotrabeculectomy worked well in a majority of the reviewed population long-term and is accepted by a majority of these patients as worthwhile.