[Combined cataract-glaucoma operations. Extracapsular extraction and trabeculectomy versus phacoemulsification and...

This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the results of Combined Surgery of Cataract and Glaucoma (triple procedure). The procedure of combined surgery were trabeculectomy and extracapsular extraction (14 eyes) versus trabeculectomy and phacoemulsification (15 eyes). The follow-up of both groups was at least 9 months and up to 16 months (mean: 12 months). The mean decrease of IOP was 12.4 mmHg and 8.9 mm Hg in the first and second group respectively. Instillation of Beta-blockers twelve months after surgery were more frequent in the first group (64.3%) than in the second (26.7%). Finally, the IOP values one year after surgery were equivalent in both groups (less than 19 mmHg in 93% of cases). The mean features to emphasize the delay of recuperation of the best corrected visual acuity: one month for phacotrabeculectomy, and three months for extracapsular with trabeculectomy. The frequency of complications was low in both groups. We observed more hyphemas but less secondary cataracts in the phacotrabeculectomy group. Phacotrabeculectomy could become a reference procedure for combined glaucoma and cataract surgery.