Simultaneous (combined) operation for glaucoma with cataract

Henceforth we mention the observations of one of the authors (E.G.) which were made in 1949 and published in 1956. The author recommends iridectomy of one pillar, intracapsular extraction of the cataract and iridenclesis of the other pillar for the treatment of cases with glaucoma together with cataract. Between the years 1968 and 1976 in the Department of Ophthalmology of the Hospital Universitario de Caracas, 966 cataract extractions were performed; within these, 84 were performed in glaucomatous eyes. In 17 cases the procedure that is used today was performed: iridectomy of one pillar, sphincterotomy, intracapsular extraction and iridencleisis of the other pillar. In other cases, other procedures were used. From our observations we consider that this technique is the most recommended in cases of glaucoma together with cataract.