Extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation combined with trabeculectomy in patients with glaucoma.

We reviewed 75 consecutive cases of extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation combined with trabeculectomy in 69 patients with glaucoma. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure was 19.3 mm Hg on an average of 2.3 glaucoma medications. Visual acuity improved in 58 eyes (77%) at two months, with an average improvement of 3.3 and 3.6 lines at two and 12 months, respectively. Of the 75 eyes, 49 (65%) achieved a visual acuity of 20/40 or better; three patients (4%) had further deterioration in vision at the completion of follow-up because of progressive glaucoma or macular disease. Postoperatively, the average intraocular pressure was 3.8 and 3.0 mm Hg lower than the preoperative level at two and 12 months (P less than .001) on 0.63 and 0.79 glaucoma medications, respectively. However, 27 (36%) of the 75 eyes had a recorded intraocular pressure greater than 30 mm Hg and 30 (40%) had a pressure 7 mm Hg or more above their preoperative level during the first six months after surgery. Despite improved long-term control of intraocular pressure, detectable conjunctival filtering blebs were present in only 31 (41%) of 75 eyes at two months and in seven (12%) of 56 eyes at 12 months. Hyphema occurred in 34 (45%) of the cases.