Efficacy and Safety of Different Types of Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Surgeries in Patients with Primary Angle Closure (PAC) or PAC Glaucoma: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

To compare the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of different types of surgery available in the literature using a network meta-analysis (NMA) based on a systematic review. PubMed and the Cochrane database were searched. Randomized clinical trials involving surgical interventions for high IOP for PAC (primary angle closure) or PACG (primary angle closure glaucoma) were included. Descriptive statistics and outcomes were extracted. Bayesian NMA was performed to compare the IOP-lowering effect and the change in the number of antiglaucoma drugs required between baseline and endpoint, as well as success rates. This NMA included 21 articles with 1237 eyes with PAC or PACG. Interventions were characterised as phacoemulsification (phaco), trabeculectomy, goniosynechialysis (GSL) with viscoelastic or blunt device, goniosurgery (GS) (trabeculotomy or goniotomy), micro-bypass stent (Istent®), endocyclophotocoagulation (ECPL) or various combinations of these procedures. Phaco+GSL [−1.73 (95%CrI: −3.53 to −0.13)] and phaco+GSL+GS [−3.92 (95%CrI: −6.91 to −1.31)] provided better IOP lowering effects than phaco alone. Phaco+trabeculectomy [−3.11 (95%CrI: −5.82 to −0.44)] was inferior to phaco+GSL+GS. Phaco+trabeculectomy [−0.45 (95%CrI: −0.81 to −0.13)] provided a better outcome in terms of reducing the need for antiglaucoma drug compared to phaco alone. There were no differences between the other surgeries in terms of reduction of antiglaucoma drug number and IOP lowering effect. Success rates were similar for all surgical procedures. Phaco+GSL+GS showed the most promising results for lowering IOP. Phaco+trabeculectomy resulted in a significant reduction in the number of antiglaucoma drugs compared to phaco alone.