Intercapsular cataract extraction with implantation of the Galand disc lens: a retrospective analysis in patients with and without glaucoma.

We studied the results of intercapsular cataract extraction and implantation of the rigid Galand disc intraocular lens (IOL) in 164 cataract patients with and without glaucoma. Eighty-eight percent of the glaucomatous eyes and 98% of the eyes without glaucoma had a postoperative visual acuity of 20/40 or better after best-case analysis. Intercapsular bag placement appeared satisfactory in all but two cases, in which the IOL was slightly tilted. Cataract extraction favorably affected glaucoma control, especially in patients with angle-closure glaucoma (7.3 mm Hg intraocular pressure [IOP] reduction) and in those with primary open-angle glaucoma (2.6 mm Hg IOP reduction). The complications encountered, cystoid macular edema and hyphema, occurred in 1% and 0.5% respectively, and were not more frequent in the glaucoma subgroup. Posterior capsular opacification (30%) and inflammatory complications such as posterior synechiae (7.6%) and prepupillary fibrin (6%) were more often noted in the glaucomatous eyes. Pupillary capture or significant IOL decentration did not occur. We conclude that a circular type of IOL is the best currently available lens for use in glaucoma patients.