Cataract surgery after tube shunts.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of cataract surgery on glaucomatous eyes with functioning tube shunts.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of 11 eyes of 11 patients with functioning tube shunts who underwent cataract extraction.


RESULTS
The mean follow-up after cataract extraction was 21 +/- 27 months (range, 4-97 months). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean preoperative intraocular pressure and mean postoperative intraocular pressure (17.4 +/- 3.7 mm Hg vs 17.8 +/- 5.9 mmHg; P = 0.85, paired t test). Most patients exhibited a statistically significant rise or drop in pressure, but in none was there a clinically significant change. The mean number of preoperative and postoperative antiglaucoma medications was also not significantly different (1.5 +/- 1.1 vs 1.7 +/- 1.2; P = 0.44, paired t test). Snellen visual acuity improved at least 2 lines in 6 eyes (55%). Complications after cataract extraction included corneal edema in three eyes, one of which had subsequent loss of control of intraocular pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
Eyes with a functioning tube shunt undergoing cataract extraction can maintain control of intraocular pressure while achieving visual improvement.
Bhattacharyya
C A
CA
Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA.
WuDunn
D
D
Lakhani
V
V
Hoop
J
J
Cantor
L B
LB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002386:Cataract / Q000503:physiopathology; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity