Abstract.
Background: There are different surgical approaches for cataract and concomitant primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). In a retrospective study we examined the long-term results of cataract extraction combined with trabeculotomy. Patients and methods: Between1990 and 1997, 194 eyes with cataract and POAG were operated on in a combined manner. Eighty-eight eyes received a trabeculotomy (TT), in 82 eyes a trabeculectomy was added to the trabeculotomy (TT+TE) and in 24 eyes, in which probing of Schlemm's canal was impossible, standard trabeculectomy (TE) was performed. Pre- and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma medication, and the intra- and postoperative complications of all patients were analyzed. Results: Hyphema was the most common complication in the TT group (20.5%). Fibrin reaction occurred in 27.8% of all cases. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative IOP between the TT group and the TT+TE group. A statistically significant decrease in IOP compared to preoperatively lasted 60 months in the TT group. In eyes with a preoperative IOP ≤20 mmHg, none of the three procedures reduced IOP significantly (<20% of the preoperative IOP). In the first 2 years after operation 50% of the patients had no need for antiglaucomatous medication. Conclusions: Cataract surgery combined with TT resulted in few complications. In low-tension glaucoma the combination with TT is not sufficient to decrease the IOP. In patients with higher preoperative IOP, however, cataract surgery combined with TT could be – on the basis of a postoperative observation time of 72 months – a suitable method for lowering the IOP sufficiently. Furthermore, the use of antiglaucomatous substances was reduced by this combined procedure.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Electronic Publication
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hoffmann, E., Schwenn, O., Karallus, M. et al. Long-term results of cataract surgery combined with trabeculotomy. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 240, 2–6 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004170100337
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004170100337