Retrospective study of postoperative intraocular pressure and complications in phacoemulsification combined with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation and phacoemulsification alone in dogs

Abstract

Background Long-term comparative data of phacoemulsification combined with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (phaco-ECP) versus phacoemulsification (phaco) alone in dogs are rare. Objectives To investigate the effects of ECP on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and complications after phaco in dogs with normal IOP. Methods Medical records of IOP, conjunctival hyperemia, corneal edema, aqueous flare, posterior synechia, intraocular fibrin, and posterior capsule opacification (PCO) formation in 15 canine eyes that underwent phaco-ECP and 36 eyes that underwent phaco alone were evaluated retrospectively. ECP was applied when either the iridocorneal angle or the ciliary cleft was narrow or closed. Results The IOP of the phaco-ECP group persisted within the normal range postoperatively. The phaco-ECP group had a shorter period of dorzolamide use than did the phaco group. PCO was formed earlier in the phaco-ECP group than in the phaco group. The phaco-ECP group showed more severe corneal edema than the phaco group at every follow-up visit. Posterior synechia was more severe in the phaco-ECP group than in the phaco group from two weeks until the last follow-up. Conclusions Although ECP might cause more postoperative complications such as corneal edema and posterior synechia, it could effectively reduce the incidence of IOP increase after phaco in dogs with a high risk of postoperative glaucoma.