[Intraocular lens implantation after glaucoma filtering surgery--time course of changes in intraocular pressure...

Cataract extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were carried out in 45 glaucomatous eyes that had undergone glaucoma filtering surgery. Of these, 37 eyes had primary glaucoma, 2 eyes capsular glaucoma, and 6 eyes secondary glaucoma. The visual acuity after IOL implantation was 0.5 or more in 29 eyes (64%) but in 10 eyes (22%) acuity was 0.1 or less because of advanced optic nerve head damage. To analyze affects of IOL implantation on intraocular pressure (IOP) control and functioning of the filtration bleb in 39 eyes of primary or capsular glaucoma, a life-table analysis with the Kaplan-Meier method was performed. The probability that IOP control does not worsen at 2 years was 43 +/- 7% (SE) in 21 eyes without pre-operative ocular hypotensive medication, 56 +/- 16% in 18 eyes with pre-operative ocular hypotensive medication, 47 +/- 12% in 26 eyes where functioning filtering bleb existed pre-operatively. The probability that the filtering bleb survives 2 years post-operatively was 44 +/- 11%. The present results imply that intensive management of post-operative inflammation and careful IOP follow up are imperative in eyes in which IOL implantation was indicated after undergoing filtration surgery.