Comparison of Bent Ab-Interno Needle Goniectomy and Goniotomy in Primary Congenital Glaucoma: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is a potentially blinding disease, and the search for the best surgical option always remains. This study investigated the efficacy of Bent Ab-Interno Needle Goniectomy (BANG) compared to the established standard of traditional goniotomy.

Design: Parallel-group randomized controlled trial.

Participants: Infants with PCG aged 1 month to 1 year with similar clinical features in both eyes.

Intervention: The 2 eyes of eligible patients were randomized to either goniotomy or BANG using a 25-gauge needle bent as a reverse cystitome, and the surgeries were done on the same day in both eyes. Postoperatively each infant was followed up for a minimum period of 1 year.

Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcomes measured were intraocular pressure (IOP) control and the requirement for antiglaucoma medications (AGMs). The secondary outcome measures included corneal clarity enhancement, axial length stability, incidence of surgical complications, or the need for repeat surgery.

Results: Eight infants with both eyes eligible, were included. In each infant, 1 eye was randomized to BANG and the other to conventional goniotomy. The mean age was 7.6 ± 3.6 months. There was no significant difference in the mean preoperative IOP (16.8 ± 8.87 mm Hg vs. 17 ± 6.0 mm Hg; P = 0.48) in eyes randomized to goniotomy or BANG. The mean number of AGMs (1.7 ± 1.11 vs. 2 ± 0.81 respectively; P = 0.26) were similar in both groups. Postoperatively, the IOP at 6 months (14.05 ± 4.1 vs. 16.2 ± 4.07; P = 0.22) and 1 year (15.3 ± 3.4 vs. 17.1 ± 3.0; P = 0.15) were similar in eyes that underwent goniotomy or BANG respectively. Both procedures demonstrated significant improvements in corneal clarity and maintained normal axial length growth. However, the BANG group required slightly more AGMs than the goniotomy group. There were no serious complications in either group. Both eyes of 1 patient required repeat surgery for IOP control and underwent a combined trabeculotomy with trabeculectomy at 9 months and 1 year postoperatively, respectively.

Conclusions: This study indicates that goniotomy remains an effective surgical treatment for PCG. The absence of discernible superiority in IOP control or overall outcomes implies that the added complexity of excising the trabecular meshwork in BANG may not confer additional benefits over the established approach.

Financial Disclosure(s): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.