Outcomes of iStent versus endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP) as adjunct to cataract surgery by phacoemulsification for glaucoma patients.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of iStent versus Endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP) as an adjunct to cataract surgery by Phacoemulsification for treating glaucoma patients in a tertiary eye center.

Methods: Retrospective study of 67 eyes of 61 patients with glaucoma and cataract who underwent either phaco-ECP or phaco-iStent. Primary efficacy endpoint is the Intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, while reduction of glaucoma medications is the secondary outcome. In addition to IOP and number of glaucoma medications; visual acuity, degree of disc cupping, safety profiles were all assessed at different intervals up to 12 months.

Results: A total of 40 eyes underwent phaco-ECP, and 27 eyes underwent phaco-iStent. Both groups were associated with a significant reduction in the number of glaucoma medications; however phaco-iStent group achieved slightly lower IOP levels than the phaco-ECP group. Furthermore, iStent inject had better control of IOP at the last follow-up compared to first-generation stents. Moreover; 2 or more stents significantly reduced IOP than single stent (p = 0.009 vs. p = 0.618, respectively). Phaco-iStent achieved a better reduction in the number of glaucoma medications for primary open-angle glaucoma (p = 0.007) compared to pseudoexfoliation glaucoma patients (p = 0.084). Complications were seen in 12 eyes (18%), of which five eyes in phaco-ECP (7.4%) and 7 eyes in phaco-iStent (10.4%), majority were mild and treated conservatively.

Conclusions: Both groups had equal efficacy in reducing the IOP. However, phaco-iStent seems superior in reducing the number of glaucoma medications after 1 year of follow-up compared to phaco-ECP, particularly when 2 or more stents are used. Both groups showed an overall good safety profile.