Combined surgery for cataract and glaucoma.

The current literature and meeting abstracts regarding combined cataract and glaucoma surgery are reviewed. Potential acuity measurements are compared. Intraoperative manipulation of the pupil, wound size, antimetabolites, and types of filtration surgery are also discussed. Postoperative intraocular pressure rise, fibrinous anterior chamber reaction, induced postoperative astigmatism, and anterior and posterior capsular problems are presented. Although great strides in techniques in each of the areas of cataract and glaucoma surgery have occurred, the long-term benefits of combined surgery have yet to be demonstrated. Ethical issues surround the use of antimetabolites.