Surgical outcome of combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the results of phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, and trabeculectomy in patients with cataracts coexisting with glaucoma.

METHODS:

This study consisted of 20 eyes from 19 patients. Fifteen eyes had chronic angle-closure glaucoma and 5 eyes had primary open-angle glaucoma. All cases were followed for a minimum of 6 months (range, 6 to 16 months). The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 17.3 +/- 4.5 mmHg. The mean preoperative visual acuity was 0.05 +/- 0.19. The mean number of preoperative antiglaucoma medications per patient was 2.3.

RESULTS:

Postoperatively, all patients except for one no longer required antiglaucoma medication. The mean IOP was 10.7 +/- 3.7 mmHg one month postoperatively and 13.7 +/- 4.3 mmHg at the final follow-up visit. Vision improved in 80% of the patients and remained unchanged in 20%. The failure to achieve improvement was due to advanced optic atrophy. The mean level of surgically induced astigmatism at the final visit was 0.98 +/- 0.91 diopters as calculated by vector analysis. Various extents of fibrin exudate was found in 10 eyes (50%). The most serious postoperative complication, occurring in one eye (5%), was temporary hypotony with moderate choroidal effusion, which later resolved spontaneously.

CONCLUSION:

Combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy is an effective and safe approach for obtaining good visual rehabilitation and glaucoma control.

• Authors: W C Wu, S C Wu, S M Lin
• Journal: Changgeng yi xue za zhi (Changgeng Yi Xue Za Zhi) Vol. 22 Issue 4 Pg. 572-8 (Dec 1999) China (Republic : 1949- )
• PMID: 10695203 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Female
• Glaucoma (surgery)
• Humans
• Intraocular Pressure
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Phacoemulsification
• Postoperative Complications
• Retrospective Studies
• Trabeculectomy
• Visual Acuity