To compare the safety and efficacy of combined laser iridoplasty followed by surgical iridectomy (LI-SI) versus trabeculectomy in the management of medically unresponsive acute primary angle closure (APAC) with minimal cataract.

This was a randomized controlled trial conducted among patients with medically unresponsive APAC without significant cataract. Study participants were randomized into: LI-SI or unaugmented trabeculectomy. Primary outcome of the study was the rate of post-operative surgical complications in the first 3 months after surgery. Secondary outcome assessed at 1 year was whether treatment was completely successful (IOP < 21 mmHg without IOP lowering drops), or partially successful (IOP < 21 mmHg with IOP lowering drops). Failure was defined as IOP ≥ 21 mmHg with IOP lowering drops.

The study included 67 eyes of 67 patients (59 females/8 males = 7.4/1) who were randomized into 2 groups: LI-SI (Group 1, 37 eyes), and trabeculectomy (Group 2, 30 eyes). There was no statistical difference between the two groups at baseline. Overall, there were more post-operative complications in Group 1 versus Group 2 (45.9% versus 33.3% - p = 0.23), although all responded well to medical treatment and resolved without sequelae. Complete success was found in 97.1% (34/35 eyes) in Group 1 and 92.6% in group 2 (p = 0.19, Fisher’s exact test).

There was a higher rate of post-operative complications after LI-SI compared to trabeculectomy performed for medically unresponsive APAC with minimal cataract. Both procedures had similar surgical outcomes at 1 year.