Evaluation of combined extracapsular cataract extraction ± intraocular lens implantation and trabeculectomy

Abstract EN

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined surgery on vision and glaucoma control; 62 eyes of 56 patients (35 male, 21 female) who had the operation between May 1985 and April 2000 were reviewed.

The mean age and follow-up were 65.4 (range 20-90) years and 13.4 (range 1-60) months, respectively.

Visual acuity ranged from light perception to 6/18, with 74.3% of eyes < 6/60.

Pre operative intraocular pressure ranged from 10-53mmHg with 56.5% of patients ≤ 21mmHg with medication(s).

More than 50% of patients had moderate to severe glaucoma.

Success was defined as intraocular pressure ≤ 21mmHg with or without medication.Visual acuity improved or stayed the same post-operatively; 69.3% of eyes ≥ 6/60, and 24.2% ≥ 6/9.

Mean post-operative intraocular pressure was 17.0 ± 1.9 mmHg with an overall success rate of 98.9%.

44 (71%) eyes did not need medication to control intraocular pressure post-operatively.

Complications were hyphema (38.7%), flat anterior chamber (16.1%), and vitreous loss (6.5%); these did not significantly affect the success rate.

Many patients did not return for follow-up after 3 months.

The procedure was safe and effective and could be the treatment of choice in many developing countries, due to its low cost.