Refractive error with optimum intraocular lens power calculation after glaucoma filtering surgery.

PURPOSE

To assess the possibility of deriving an optimum intraocular lens (IOL) power after previous successful trabeculectomy.

SETTING

Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linko, Taiwan.

METHODS

The retrospective study included 1 eye of 22 patients who had cataract surgery after successful trabeculectomy performed by 1 surgeon. Twenty-two eyes that had cataract surgery only performed by the same surgeon were paired as a control group. The IOL power was calculated by the Sanders-Retzlaff-Kraff regression analysis formula based on the data derived after trabeculectomy. The postoperative refractive error at least 1 month after cataract surgery was recorded, and the difference was analyzed by a paired t test and 2-sample t test.

RESULTS

Cataract surgery combined with trabeculectomy resulted in a mean spherical equivalent of -0.33 diopter +/- 1.58 (SD). This was not significantly different from the predicted refractive error or the result in the control group (P>.05).

CONCLUSION

Although the fluctuation in pseudophakic axial length measurement after glaucoma filtering surgery was logical, a predictable pseudophakic refractive outcome was derived clinically once the intraocular pressure stabilized after trabeculectomy.