[Cataracts in glaucoma patients]

Combined glaucoma and cataract surgery has gained increasing success over the past decade, because of technological advances and modifications in surgical techniques. Extracapsular cataract extraction has been progressively replaced by phacoemulsification through a clear corneal incision with foldable lens implants. Nonpenetrating glaucoma surgery, which has the potential to reduce intraocular pressure while reducing the risk of postoperative hypotony and associated local complications, has been recently proposed as a safe and effective solution for combined surgery in glaucoma patients. Useful modifications in surgical technique also include the use of combined phacotrabeculectomy or phacosclerectomy with antimetabolite supplementation, particularly mitomycin C.