Anterior segment configuration as a predictive factor for refractive outcome after cataract surgery in patients with glaucoma

Background To compare refractive outcomes after cataract surgery between patients with closed-angle and open-angle glaucoma and evaluate the influence of preoperative factors on refractive outcomes in patients with glaucoma. Methods Patients diagnosed with glaucoma and who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. We collected data including age, history of prior laser peripheral iridotomy and trabeculectomy, type of glaucoma, manifest refraction, intraocular pressure, axial length, and various anterior segment parameters using anterior-segment optical coherence tomography. Factors associated with unsatisfactory refractive outcome at postoperative 6 month were evaluated. Results A total of 143 eyes (143 subjects) were included. Of these, 49 and 94 had closed-angle and open-angle glaucoma, respectively. At postoperative-6 month evaluation, the mean absolute error (MAE) predicted by the SRK-II and SRK-T formulae was 0.67 ± 0.61 and 0.81 ± 0.66 diopters (D), respectively. The overall predictability of achieving within ± 1.0 D of target was 76.92 % and 72.73 %, respectively. At a cutoff value of 1.0 D for MAE, there was no statistical significant difference in refractive outcome between the closed-angle and open-angle glaucoma groups. Logistic regression modeling showed that large lens vault (LV) was a significant predictor of unsatisfactory refractive outcome after cataract surgery in patients with glaucoma. Conclusions When considering cataract surgery in patients with glaucoma, surgeons should recognize that the refractive outcomes may be unsatisfactory in eyes with large LV.