[Combination of phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy. Results of a retrospective study]

Combined trabeculectomy and phacoemulsification was performed on 21 eyes with poorly controlled glaucoma (15 open-angle glaucomas, 5 capsular glaucomas, and one secondary glaucoma) and coexisting cataract. In 20 of these eyes there was severe glaucomatous damage of the optic nerve with visual field loss. With the procedure used by the present authors there was a higher incidence of choroidal detachments, whereas other complications occurred at a lower rate than reported by other authors combining cataract extraction and trabeculectomy. Mean IOP was lowered from 25.7 +/- 6.1 to 17.1 +/- 3.2 mmHg after 18 months. Thirteen patients (62%) required no medication, while 5 (24%) required additional therapy for sufficient control of IOP (less than or equal to 21 mmHg). The results indicate that the combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy procedure may be a useful approach in eyes with severe glaucomatous damage and cataract.