Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of small-incision triple procedure, including phacoemulsification, posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation and trabeculectomy, in patients with coexisting glaucoma and cataract.
Methods: Twenty patients (26 eyes) with coexisting glaucoma and cataract underwent 3.5 mm-incision triple procedure. The mean follow-up was 16.1 months (3 - 41 months).
Results: The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was (23.01 +/- 2.63) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) which decreased to a mean postoperative IOP of (13.93 +/- 1.85) mm Hg (P < 0. 001). Seventeen (65%) of 26 eyes had a best-corrected visual acuity of >or= 0.6 at the last follow-up (range, 0.05 - 1.0). The mean magnitude of astigmatism was 0.81 D (range, 0 - 3.00 D), 4 eyes had no astigmatism. Although 2 eyes used antiglaucoma medications shortly after the surgery, no eyes used any medications at the last follow-up. The early postoperative complications included corneal edema in 5 eyes (19%) and shallow anterior chamber in 3 eyes (12%). The late complication was mainly the after cataract in 6 eyes (23%).
Conclusions: The small-incision triple procedure appears effective for treating selected patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma, improving the valid visual acuity rapidly, reducing intraocular pressure with less medications and having less postoperative complications.