[Combined trephining with scleral flap (Elliot-Fronimopoulos) and intracapsular cataract extraction (author's...

68 eyes of 51 non-selected patients on which a combined cataract extraction and Elliot's trephining with scleral flap (Fronimopoulos) had been performed between 1972 and september 1976, were re-examined between 6 and 48 months following operation. Postoperative complications were rare: there was one persistent shallow anterior chamber following excessive filtration, one increase of tension floowing a block of the trephine canal by vitreous, and one increase of tension following too tight suturing of the scleral flap which necessitated re-operation. Tension was compensated without therapy in 42 eyes (61,7%) and with local therapy in 24 eyes (35,3%). Only in 2 eyes (3%) normal intra-ocular pressure was not achieved. Altogether 97% of the eyes were compensated, some with additional local therapy. The combined cataract extraction and Elliot's trephining with scleral flap (Fronimopoulos) is an effective and low risk technique that is recommended in cases of cataract with raised intraocular pressure not controlled by medical treatment.