[Phacotrabeculectomy in patients with cataract and chronic open angle glaucoma, and patients with cataract and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma].

PURPOSE: To compare the results obtained after phacotrabeculectomy followed by implantation of an intracapsular lens in patients with cataract and chronic open angle glaucoma, and patients with cataract and pseudoexfoliation open angle glaucoma.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The retrospective study covered 55 eyes with cataract and glaucoma. In 28 eyes, chronic open angle glaucoma was diagnosed, and in 27--pseudoexfoliation glaucoma. In all cases, phacoemulsification of the opacified lens was carried out, a foldable intraocular lens was implanted in the capsule, and the trabeculum was removed by means of a punch. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure and the ratio of applied anti-glaucoma drugs were subject to the assessment.

RESULTS

The observation period was 12 months. Within the COAG patient group, the average visual acuity prior to the surgery was 0.2+/-0.24, and after one year from the surgery it increased to 0.82+/-0.22. For PEX glaucoma patients, the values were respectively 0.3+/-0.25 before the surgery and 0.75+/-0.29 a year after it. Considerable reduction of the intraocular pressure was also achieved: in the COAG patients--from 19.51+/-3.8 mm Hg to 16.6+/-1.6 mm Hg, and in PEX glaucoma patients--from 22.28+/-5.18 mm Hg to 17.6+/-2.33 mm Hg one year after the surgery. Also, the quantity of anti-glaucoma drugs applied in the study groups was significantly reduced. The anti-glaucoma drug ratio in the COAG patients dropped from 1.8 to 0 after the surgery, and in the PEX glaucoma patients--from 2.3 to 0.3.

CONCLUSIONS

Phacotrabeculectomy is an efficient and safe surgical method, to be recommended for patients both with primary open angle glaucoma and with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.