[Comparison of a trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification and foldable lens implantation]

Combined phacoemulsification, foldable lens implantation, and trabeculotomy (12 eyes, LOTOMY group) or trabeculectomy (22 eyes, LECTOMY group) were performed. At 6 months after the operation the visual acuity improvement (over 0.5 improvement, 83.3% in the LOTOMY group, and 95.5% in the LECTOMY group) was not significantly different between the two groups. 9 months postoperatively ocular pressure values (15.6 +/- 3.0 mmHg in the LOTOMY group, and 14.2 +/- 8.0 mmHg in the LECTOMY group) were not significantly different between the two groups. But within 7 days postoperatively average values of the maximal ocular pressure (25.5 +/- 5.9 mmHg in the LOTOMY group, and 11.8 +/- 3.0 mmHg in the LECTOMY group) were significantly higher in the LOTOMY group. The value was higher than the preoperative level. In the follow-up, progressive visual field loss was seen in 17% of the cases in the LOTOMY group. There was no progressive visual field loss in the LECTOMY group. Especially in cases with advanced glaucomatous visual field loss, the occurrence of ocular pressure spikes in the initial postoperative period may be closely related to postoperative progressive visual function loss. Phacotrabeculectomy was effective in avoiding these spikes.