Cataract extraction slowed the visual field progression rate in patients with angle-closure glaucoma

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rate of progression of Humphrey visual field before and after the cataract surgery in patients with angle-closure glaucoma.Patients with angle-closure glaucoma who underwent regular visual field (VF) examination and received cataract surgery during the follow-up periods were retrospectively reviewed. The visual field rate of progression, visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and number of glaucoma medication before and after cataract surgery were compared.A total of 26 eyes were included. The mean follow-up duration before and after the cataract surgery were 5.14 ± 3.31 years and 5.97 ± 2.35 years. After cataract surgery, the IOP and VA improved significantly. The visual field rate of progression significantly slowed down after cataract surgery from - 1.39 ± 1.31 dB/year preoperatively to - 0.34 ± 0.64 dB/year postoperatively (P = 0.003).The ACG eyes had rapid VF decline before cataract extraction, which was slowed down significantly after cataract removal.