Laser flare in combined cataract and glaucoma surgery

Abstract

We used a laser-flare meter to compare inflammation of the anterior chamber in combined cataract and glaucoma surgery with that in pure filtering surgery. In 34 consecutive patients with primary chronic open-angle glaucoma (PCOG) we combined glaucoma surgery and cataract extraction with phacoemulsification and implantation of a foldable intraocular lens via the same incision. We compared the results with those in 32 PCOG patients receiving a single goniotrephination and in 45 PCOG patients receiving cataract extraction via clear cornea with implantation of a foldable lens. The increase in the flare in the first 2 days was significant in those receiving combined cataract and glaucoma surgery and in those receiving single goniotrephination but not in those receiving a single cataract extraction. After 3 weeks there was no significant difference to the preoperative value in any of the groups. The highest flare values were in patients after combined surgery, significantly higher than after cataract extraction in the first days and higher than in the goniotrephination patients 3 weeks after the operation. The highest flare on the first day was in combined cataract and glaucoma surgery. This may explain the more frequent scarring of the filtering bleb in combined surgery. Postoperatively the intraocular pressure and number of drugs used for glaucoma did not differ in patients with combined and single goniotrephination.