Combined glaucoma-cataract surgery

Trabeculectomy is the most commonly used glaucoma procedure for combined glaucoma-cataract surgery. The results are, however, challenged by rather frequent exudation of fibrin into the auterior chamber. Therefore, two separate procedures can be recommended if there is no urgent need for a combined glaucoma-cataract operation. The other glaucoma procedures that were described in combination with cataract surgery are trabeculotomy, deep sclerectomy, viscocanalostomy, trabecular aspiration, and laser trabecular ablation. The IOP lowering effect of these procedures seems somewhat less effective. However, there is also a lower complication rate. In combined procedures, a separate temporal clear cornea approach for phacoemulsification is superior to a one-site approach. Nuclear expression techniques and corneoscleral incisions should no longer be used in combined glaucoma-cataract surgery.