Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2025
05:19
Author Spotlight: Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms in PCO and Fibrosis Following Cataract Surgery
Published on: December 1, 2023
1.1K
How much does cataract surgery contribute to intraocular pressure lowering?
Jasdeep Sabharwal1, Anupam K Garg, Pradeep Y Ramulu
1Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Current Opinion in Ophthalmology
|November 29, 2023
Summary
Cataract surgery effectively lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients. Combining it with micro-invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) can further benefit those with mild to advanced disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Glaucoma Research
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Glaucoma management often requires lowering intraocular pressure (IOP).
- Cataract surgery is a common procedure with observed effects on IOP.
- The interplay between cataract surgery and glaucoma treatment is an active area of research.
Conclusions:
- Glaucoma suspects with cataracts benefit from cataract surgery alone.
- Patients on 1-2 medications with mild-moderate glaucoma may benefit from combined cataract surgery and MIGS.
- Advanced glaucoma cases warrant consideration of cataract surgery plus additional surgical interventions.
- Clear lens extraction is increasingly recognized for angle closure glaucoma and high IOP.
- Further research is needed to define the role of MIGS in angle closure management.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
456
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
456
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
515
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
515
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
592
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
592