Role of clear lens extraction in adult angle closure disease: a review

Treatments for angle closure include eye drops, laser procedures, trabeculectomy and other drainage procedures, and now lens extraction. A 2006 Cochrane review of the role of lens extraction in angle closure disease concluded that there was no published evidence supporting the efficacy of lens extraction in chronic primary angle closure glaucoma. More recent randomized controlled trials have suggested greater promise. We wish to address the rationale, evidence base and philosophy for lens extraction - especially clear lens extraction - in preventing vision loss from glaucoma in angle closure disease.