Objective: To evaluate the effect of trabeculectomy and/or phacoemulsification surgery on blood-aqueous barrier function.
Methods: Phacoemulsification with implantation of intraocular lens was performed on 46 cataract eyes of 40 glaucoma patients following previous trabeculectomy (group 1), and 64 cataract eyes of 60 patients (group 2). The aqueous flare and cells were examined preoperatively and on days 1, 7, 30, 90 postoperatively using a laser flare-cell meter (LFCM).
Results: The mean aqueous flare values were (15.12 +/- 2.87), (40.24 +/- 3.75), (24.33 +/- 3.38), (21.18 +/- 1.77), (16.51 +/- 1.70) photon counts/ms in group 1 preoperatively and on days 1, 7, 30, 90 after surgery (P < 0.05) respectively; and were (6.94 +/- 2.34), (26.27 +/- 10.21), (13.96 +/- 6.44), (9.07 +/- 2.67), (7.16 +/- 1.89) photon counts/ms in group 2 (P < 0.05) respectively.
Conclusions: Trabeculectomy can breakdown blood-aqueous barrier permanently while phacoemulsification damage the blood-aqueous barrier transiently. Phacoemulsification combined with a previous trabeculectomy can enhance this damage.