Phacoemulsification with and without trabeculectomy in patients with glaucoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study was performed to determine the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) control in patients with glaucoma who underwent phacoemulsification with and without trabeculectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-five eyes underwent phacoemulsification, and 21 eyes underwent combined surgery. The minimum postoperative follow-up for both groups was 6 months.

RESULTS

The average IOP decreased from 19.7 +/- 4.6 mm Hg preoperatively to 16.3 +/- 3.1 mm Hg in the phacoemulsification group, and from 21.2 +/- 5.9 mm Hg to 14.4 +/- 3.3 mm Hg in the combined group at 6 months (statistically not significant). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of visual acuity improvement or the number of glaucoma medications.

CONCLUSION

Cataract surgery, with phacoemulsification alone and combined with trabeculectomy, induces a statistically and clinically significant reduction of IOP in patients with glaucoma.