Posterior chamber lenses and glaucoma

Abstract

The intraocular pressure of 100 glaucomatous eyes was followed up after extracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of a posterior chamber lens. The cataract extraction techniques employed were KPE (33), ECCE (41), ECCE with iridotomy and iris suture (15), and ECCE with iridotomy and iris suture after previous fistulizing procedures. The follow-up examinations were performed 5.5 and 16.4 months after surgery. About 1.5 years after the cataract extraction the intraocular pressure of all eyes had decreased on average by 2-3 mm Hg. The number of drug-dependent eyes decreased to 30% as compared to the situation prior to extraction. Only those patients who had undergone ECCE with iridoplasty after previous fistulizing procedures had a slightly increased, though not statistically significant pressure elevation. The proportion of drug-dependent patients in this group was also almost the same as before surgery. Follow-up at 5.5 and 16.4 months revealed no major differences in the pressure level or the number of drug-dependent glaucomatous eyes.