Clear-cornea cataract extraction in eyes with functioning filtering blebs.

In 22 glaucomatous eyes with functioning filtering blebs and adequately controlled intraocular pressures (less than or equal to 22 mm Hg) that underwent clear-cornea cataract extraction, the intraocular pressure remained controlled in 20 (91%). Seven of the 21 eyes, however, required an increased dosage of antiglaucoma drugs. Sixteen eyes had final visual acuities between 6/6 and 6/9 (20/20 and 20/30) and only four eyes had final visual acuities worse than 6/60 (20/200). The only intraoperative complication was a ruptured lens capsule. Postoperative bullous keratopathy developed in two eyes, both of which had had corneal edema postoperatively. A third eye, which had undergone filtering surgery 17 years earlier, had vitreous incarceration after the sutures were removed.