Presence of crystalline lens as a protective factor for the late development of open angle glaucoma after vitrectomy

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the late development of open angle glaucoma (OAG) after vitrectomy and to compare the rate of postvitrectomy OAG development in phakic and pseudophakic eyes.

Methods: Retrospective case series of 101 eyes of 101 patients who had vitrectomy for idiopathic epiretinal membrane or idiopathic macular hole with a follow-up duration of more than 6 months. Eligible patients were assessed for new development of OAG during the follow-up period. Patients were separated into two groups based on the lens status at the end of the vitrectomy for statistical analysis using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank test and Cox regression analysis.

Results: The mean follow-up duration was 51 months (range, 6-80 months). Of the 101 eyes, 8 (7.9%) eyes developed OAG during the follow-up period. Phakic eyes were less likely to develop OAG after vitrectomy compared with pseudophakic eyes, with 2% and 13%, respectively (log-rank test, P = 0.025). The result remained statistically significant after adjustment for age, refractive error and the use of gas tamponade (adjusted odds ratio = 0.09, P = 0.038).

Conclusion: The presence of the crystalline lens may be protective against the late development of OAG after vitrectomy.