# Changes in Choroidal Thickness and Its Effects on the Refractive Outcome After Surgical Treatment of Cataract Using Phacoemulsification Combined With Goniosynechialysis in Patients With Primary Angle Closure/Glaucoma

## TL;DR

This study examines how choroidal thickness changes after cataract surgery in patients with angle-closure glaucoma and its effect on vision outcomes.

## Contribution

The study identifies a link between choroidal thickness changes and refractive outcomes after combined cataract and glaucoma surgery.

## Key findings

- Choroidal thickness initially increases then decreases to baseline after surgery.
- Choroidal thickness is negatively correlated with intraocular pressure and axial length.
- Changes in choroidal thickness are positively linked to refractive error changes.

## Abstract

To evaluate changes in choroidal thickness (CT) and their association with refractive outcomes after phacoemulsification combined with goniosynechialysis (Phaco‐GSL) in patients with primary angle‐closure/glaucoma (PAC/PACG).

This study involved 79 eyes from 54 patients with PAC/PACG who underwent Phaco‐GSL. Intraocular pressure (IOP), best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and CT were measured preoperatively and at 1 week (W1), 1 month (M1), 3 months (M3), and 6 months (M6) postoperatively. In addition, anterior chamber depth (ACD), axial length (AL), visual field mean deviation (MD), and mean refractive error (MRE) were recorded preoperatively and at the final follow‐up visit. Correlations between ocular biometric parameters and MRE were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.

Within 6 months after Phaco‐GSL, CT measured at 13 predefined locations showed an initial postoperative increase, followed by a gradual decline, eventually returning to baseline levels. IOP decreased at W1 and stabilized at M6. In addition, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was negatively correlated with IOP preoperatively (p < 0.05) and AL both preoperatively and at M6 (p < 0.01) but positively related to MD at M6. Moreover, CT changes were positively correlated with MRE (p < 0.05), while changes in ACD, AL, and IOP were not associated with MRE (all, p > 0.05).

These findings suggest that CT initially increases and then decreases over a 6‐month period following Phaco‐GSL. CT is associated with IOP, AL, and MD reductions. Furthermore, CT changes are associated with an increase in MRE, offering valuable insights into the refractive shifts in PAC/PACG patients after Phaco‐GSL.