Excisional Goniotomy in Latino Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma: Outcomes Through 24 Months.

Purpose: To characterize the efficacy of combined phacoemulsification and excisional goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB-phaco) in eyes of Latino adults with cataract and open-angle glaucoma (OAG).

Methods: Health records of consecutive Latino patients undergoing KDB-phaco were retrospectively reviewed. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-lowering medication use were recorded at baseline and each postoperative visit through up to 24 months. Primary outcomes were reductions in IOP and medication use from baseline; secondary outcomes were the proportions of eyes achieving IOP reductions of ≥20% and medication reductions ≥1 medication from baseline. Subgroup analysis was conducted in eyes with high and low baseline IOP.

Results: Data from 44 eyes of 32 Latino patients with OAG were analyzed. Mean IOP was 17.8 (0.7) mmHg at baseline and postoperatively ranged from 12.4 to 13.8 mmHg (p≥0.0003), representing mean IOP reductions of 4.2-4.6 mmHg (19.7-23.1%). Mean medication was 1.5 (0.2) medications per eye at baseline and postoperatively ranged from 0.2 to 1.0 (p≥0.0061), representing mean medication reductions of 0.7-1.2 medications per eye (47.1-87.2%). In the low baseline IOP group (<18 mmHg), mean IOP was significantly reduced through Month 24 and medications through Month 12; in the high baseline IOP group (≥18 mmHg), IOP and medications were significantly reduced through Month 24. From Months 1-24, IOP reductions of ≥20% were achieved by 48.4-56.2% of eyes in the full cohort, by 20.0-33.3% in the low IOP group, and by 66.7-100% in the high IOP group; medication reductions of ≥1 medication were achieved by 72.0-95.6%, 64.7-94.2%, and 87.5-100% of eyes, respectively.

Conclusion: Combined KDB-phaco in eyes of Latino patients with glaucoma and cataract significantly lowers IOP and the need for IOP-lowering medications for up to 24 months and should be considered for such patients who warrant IOP reduction, medication reduction, or both.