Treatment of phacolytic glaucoma with extracapsular cataract extraction.

The treatment of choice for phacolytic glaucoma has been intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE). The current study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) as a definitive treatment for phacolytic glaucoma. Five cases of phacolytic glaucoma that occurred between 1984 and 1986 were studied after a retrospective chart review; ECCE (with placement of a posterior chamber intraocular lens [PC IOL]) was performed without complication and was curative in all five eyes. All patients (100%) maintained intraocular pressures (IOPs) of less than 20 mmHg, without medical therapy. The best-corrected visual acuity for all cases was 20/50 or better (80%, greater than or equal to 20/40) with 5 months to 3 years follow-up. These results suggest that ECCE is an effective alternative for the treatment of phacolytic glaucoma and allows surgeons the freedom to choose the procedure with which they are most comfortable. Additionally, implantation of a PC IOL is a safe and efficacious procedure in restoring visual function in these patients.