Combined procedure for the management of glaucoma and cataract

Thirty eyes of 29 patients (12 male and 17 female) with an age range 50-86 years (mean 76 years) were operated by combined technique for cataract and glaucoma with a follow-up ranging between 6-18 months (mean 6.8 months). Seventeen eyes had capsular glaucoma and 13 eyes simple glaucoma. The surgical technique of trabeculectomy, extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation is described. The pre-operative IOP was 31.5 mmHg +/- 7.8 on maximum tolerated medical therapy and the post-operative IOP 17.8 mmHg +/- 3.9. Fourteen eyes had to be treated with topical timolol X 2 daily after the operation. Twenty-eight eyes had a pre-operative visual acuity of less than or equal to 0.3. Of these, 17 had a visual acuity of less than or equal to 0.1, and were severely visually handicapped. Visual acuity improved markedly in 24 eyes and remained unchanged in 6 eyes. Every patient but one (with vitrectomy and no lens implantation) experienced considerable subjective visual increase. The main complications consisted of vitreous loss in one eye and fibrinous effusion into the anterior chamber in 7 capsular glaucoma eyes. Pre-operative precautions and post-operative care are important. The combined triple procedure is recommended for the management of patients with uncontrolled glaucoma and cataract.