Extracapsular cataract extraction in eyes previously operated for glaucoma

Extracapsular cataract extraction with IOL implantation was performed in 32 consecutive cases of glaucomatous eyes which previously had undergone trabeculectomy (group A). The only complication seen during surgery was one tear in the posterior capsule. The mean IOP on postoperative day 1 was 17.7 +/- 7.9 mmHg. After extracapsular cataract extraction in 68 glaucomatous eyes with no previous surgery (group B) the corresponding mean IOP was 21.7 +/- 7.5 mmHg (p = 0.015). However, the mean preoperative IOP level was lower in group A (group A: 14.3 +/- 4.0 mmHg, group B: 17.1 +/- 4.3 mmHg), so the increase in IOP was not significantly different in the two groups. In group A, 15.6% of the eyes had an IOP elevation exceeding 24 mmHg, compared to 30.9% of the eyes in group B. Four months postoperatively, the IOP was significantly reduced in group B and unchanged in group A (compared to preoperatively). Seventy-two percent of the eyes in group A and 79% of the eyes in group B achieved a visual acuity of 5/10 or better, respectively.