rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2006;90:146-149 doi:10.1136/bjo.2005.078212
  • Clinical science
    • Scientific reports

The safety and efficacy of combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy with releasable sutures

  1. W J Stark,
  2. R K Goyal,
  3. O Awad,
  4. E Vito,
  5. A C Kouzis
  1. Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
  1. Correspondence to: Dr Walter J Stark 600 N Wolfe Street, Maumenee 327, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; wstark{at}jhmi.edu
  • Accepted 2 October 2005

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the combined phacoemulsification with acrylic intraocular lens implantation and trabeculectomy with releasable sutures, without the use of antimetabolites, performed by one surgeon.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 251 eyes of 198 patients after a combined phaco/trabeculectomy procedure, followed up for an average of 16 months for vision, intraocular pressure (IOP), and number of glaucoma medications. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis provided measures of relative risk (RR) or hazards ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with the occurrence of several conditions or complications of surgery.

Results: Mean preoperative variables were best corrected vision, 0.6 (SD 0.4) logMAR (20/80 Snellen); IOP, 18.7 (4.9) mm Hg; and number of glaucoma medications, 1.7 (0.8). Mean postoperative results were best corrected vision, 0.2 (0.4) logMAR (20/32 Snellen); IOP, 15.1 (3.2) mm Hg; and number of glaucoma medications, 0.3 (0.6). Postoperatively, the mean decreases from baseline were 19.2% for IOP and 84.1% for number of glaucoma medications; 85% of eyes required fewer glaucoma medications and 78% of eyes were medication free, with IOP control. There were no significant operative or postoperative complications.

Conclusion: Combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy with releasable sutures, in the absence of antimetabolites, is a safe, effective, and stable alternative for patients with cataracts and glaucoma.

Footnotes

  • The authors have no proprietary interest in the devices mentioned here.

  • This work was supported in part by and Helen and Raymond Kwok Research Fund, and The Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

This Article

  1. Abstract
  2. Full text
  3. PDF

Responses

  1. Submit a response
  2. No responses published

Register for free content

The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.