Three Glaucoma-Cataract Combo Procedures Evaluated
Three procedures involving combined glaucoma and cataract surgery each lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) significantly, with the largest drop occurring in patients receiving phacoemulsification plus viscocanalostomy, according to a retrospective case series involving 109 eyes. Those who underwent phacoemulsification–ab interno trabulectomy experienced the fewest complications.
Participants underwent phacoviscocanalostomy (n=46), endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP; n=35), or ab interno trabulectomy (n=28). Investigators evaluated postoperative IOP, number of medications at each visit, and complications. Among results:
- After an average follow-up of 17 months, patients receiving phacoviscocanalostomy had the lowest average IOP (13.5 mm Hg, 29% decrease).
- IOP in the phaco–ECP (16.4 mm Hg, 20% decrease) and phaco–ab interno trabulectomy (15.8 mm Hg, 15% decrease) were similar.
- There was a 77% reduction in number of medications in patients in the phacoviscocanalostomy group; in the phaco–ECP and phaco–ab interno trabulectomy contingents the reductions were 40% and 44%, respectively.
- Patients receiving phacoemulsification–ab interno trabulectomy experienced the fewest complications.
- IOP spikes were highest in the phaco–ECP group (20%).
Moghimi S, Hamzeh N, Mohammadi M, Khatibi N, Bowd C. Combined glaucoma and cataract surgery: Comparison of viscocanalostomy, endocyclophotocoagulation, and ab interno trabeculectomy. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2018;44(5):557-565. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrs.2018.03.024.
