Long-term effect of phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure after trabeculectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure (IOP) in eyes that have had trabeculectomy.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.


METHODS
This retrospective study evaluated the IOP in 48 eyes (35 patients) that had temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification after trabeculectomy. The mean interval between trabeculectomy and phacoemulsification was 27 months +/- 21 (SD) and the mean follow-up after phacoemulsification, 23 +/- 12 months. Intraocular pressure and antiglaucoma therapy before cataract surgery and at the end of follow-up were evaluated. For statistical analysis, the paired t test, Wilcoxon test, and chi-square test were used.


RESULTS
Thirty-five eyes (73%) preoperatively and 25 eyes (52%) postoperatively were controlled (IOP < 22 mm Hg) without antiglaucoma therapy. The difference was statistically significant (P =.04, chi-square test). At the end of follow-up, the increase in mean IOP (1.6 mm Hg) and in mean number of antiglaucoma medications (0.4) was statistically significant (P =.002 and P =.05, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification after trabeculectomy was followed by a slight but statistically significant increase in IOP and the need for antiglaucoma medication after 2 years. However, the impairment in IOP control is comparable to that in the natural course of trabeculectomy.
Derbolav
Agnes
A
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. dr_agnes_derbolav@yahoo.com
Vass
Clemens
C
Menapace
Rupert
R
Schmetterer
Karin
K
Wedrich
Andreas
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014130:Trabeculectomy; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents