Phacoemulsification and Intraocular Lens Implantation Combined with Trabeculotomy for Open-Angle Glaucoma and Coexisting Cataract

Objective: To study the outcome of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation combined with trabeculotomy. Methods: We performed trabeculotomy combined with phacoemulsification and foldable lens implantation in 25 eyes with open-angle glaucoma and coexisting cataract in 18 patients. The series comprised 9 males (13 eyes) and 9 females (12 eyes). Mean age of the patients was 73.4 ± 10.9 years (45–87 years). Mean follow-up period was 14.3 ± 6.0 months (6–24 months). Results: The preoperative intraocular pressure was 21.4 ± 3.7 mm Hg. The postoperative intraocular pressure 6 months after the surgery was 12.8 ± 3.4 mm Hg. A postoperative tension spike (>30 mm Hg) was observed in 2 eyes. Six months after the operation, the intraocular pressure was controlled under 21 mm Hg in all eyes, and under 16 mm Hg in 18 eyes. The medication score (one point per antiglaucomatous medication) was 2.0 ± 1.6 before the surgery and 0.4 ± 0.7 after the surgery. The mean refractive error after the operation was –0.8 ± 0.7 D (range –2.4 to 0 D). The deviation of the actual refractive error from the predicted one was +0.29 ± 0.54 D (range –0.52 to +1.10 D). Conclusion: The outcome of the combined operation for open-angle glaucoma and coexisting cataract was promising.