Immediate Anterior Chamber Paracentesis With A 30-Gauge Needle for Acute Primary Angle - Closure

Immediate Anterior Chamber Paracentesis With A 30-Gauge Needle for Acute Primary Angle - Closure

This study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of immediate anterior chamber paracentesis (ACP) with a 30-gauge needle as an initial treatment for acute primary angle closure (APAC).

This is a prospective study from patients with APAC presenting at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand in 2005. At presentation, patients received immediate ACP with a 30-gauge needle. The IOP, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal edema grading, pupil size and symptoms were recorded at immediately, 15 and 30 minutes, and then 1, 24 and 48 hours after paracentesis. All affected eyes received antiglaucomatous medications 60 minutes after ACP and underwent peripheral iridotomy within 24 hours.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients aged more than 18 year old with the first attack of APAC
• IOP of more than or equal to 40 mmHg.

Exclusion Criteria:

• patient unable to cooperate for paracentesis
• patients with APAC in the only remaining eye
• patients received any glaucoma treatments prior to the study
• patients with secondary causes of acute angle closure
• patients with intraocular inflammation or infection; (6) patients with APAC in the eye with a history of previous intraocular surgery
• patients known hypersensitive to tetracaine hydrochloride or tobramycin.