Results of trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification versus trabeculectomy combined with extracapsular cataract extraction in patients with advanced glaucoma.

We compared the results of trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification (n = 16) with those of trabeculectomy combined with extracapsular cataract extraction (n = 18). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of early or chronic postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) control or in terms of the number of glaucoma medications prescribed postoperatively. However, by 12 weeks postoperatively, bleb height and extent were significantly greater in the phacoemulsification group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of postoperative spheroequivalent, astigmatism, or cylindrical axis. The mean final visual acuity, however, was less in the extracapsular group. We conclude that phacoemulsification combined with trabeculectomy offers a safe and effective technique to control postoperative IOP in patients with glaucoma.