Combined procedure for PEXG and cataract

Combined phacoemulsification and viscocanalostomy achieves excellent intraocular pressure (IOP) control and improves visual acuity (VA) in patients with co-existing cataract and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG), according to Mohammed Awadalla and colleagues from Saudi Arabia.

A prospective, non-comparative study of 30 consecutive eyes with uncontrolled PEXG associated with cataract was conducted. Each subject received the combined phacoemulsification and viscocanalostomy procedure. Postoperative follow-up ranged from between 12 and 24 months.

At the final follow-up, IOP was reduced by more 30% with only five eyes (16.6%) requiring a single anti-glaucoma medication to achieve target IOP. The mean preoperative best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was 0.16, whilst mean postoperative uncorrected vision and BSCVA were 0.5 and 0.7, respectively. Complication rates were low and did not affect the surgical outcome.

The results of this study reveal that combined phacoemulsification and viscocanalostomy can achieve excellent results in both IOP control and visual acuity.