Three-millimeter versus 6-mm incisions in combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy
Stewart, W.C.; Sine, C.S.; Carlson, A.N.
Ophthalmic Surgery and Lasers 27(10): 832-838
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 1082-3069 PMID: 8895203 Document Number: 457904
To determine the results of phacoemulsification and combined trabeculectomy in subjects receiving either a 3- or a 6-mm scleral incision. The authors evaluated consecutive patients who underwent combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy with a 3-mm incision. These patients were individually matched by age, diagnosis, previous surgery, and race to those having a 6-mm incision. The study found that 1 year following surgery, results were similar between the 3- and 6-mm incision groups for intraocular pressure (IOP), bleb height, bleb vascularity, number of glaucoma medicines, anterior chamber depth, visual acuity, spherical equivalent, cylinder, and axis (P > .05). No difference was observed between groups with the highest IOP within the first postoperative month (P > .05). Also, no marked differences in number of complications were noted between groups. This study suggests that 3- and 6-mm incision phacoemulsification combined with trabeculectomy provide similar postoperative IOP control and visual acuity results.