Trabeculotomy ab externo, cataract extraction, and intraocular lens implantation: preliminary report.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the results of a triple procedure using either extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) or one of two phacoemulsification techniques combined with trabeculotomy ab externo and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.


METHODS
Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan, and Nagata Eye Hospital, Nara, Japan.


METHODS
In this comparative study, 25 eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma had ECCE combined with trabeculotomy ab externo and IOL implantation and 22 had the same procedure using phacoemulsification instead of ECCE. Of the eyes that had phacoemulsification, 10 had a single-flap and 12 had a double-flap procedure.


RESULTS
All 22 eyes that had phacoemulsification had a postoperative IOP of 21 mm Hg or less, as did all ECCE eyes except 2. Although the self-sealing incision might have caused the higher incidence of IOP spikes in the immediate postoperative period, IOPs in the phacoemulsification groups were lower after 3 months. Results were similar in the single-flap and double-flap phacoemulsification groups. There were no significant complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Cataract extraction by phacoemulsification or ECCE combined with IOL implantation and trabeculotomy ab externo is a safe, effective treatment for patients with coexisting glaucoma and cataract.
Honjo
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Tanihara
H
H
Negi
A
A
Hangai
M
M
Taniguchi
T
T
Honda
Y
Y
Mizoguchi
T
T
Matsumura
M
M
Nagata
M
M
D000368:Aged; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity