Controverse chirurgicale

Combined surgery (phacoemulsification and penetrating or nonpenetrating filtering surgery) has the advantage of treating two distinct disorders in a single operation, with the objective of improving visual acuity and controlling ocular hypertension. In addition, it improves patient comfort and compliance to treatment. It lowers intraocular pressure more than simple lens surgery and the same as surgery carried out in two steps, notably with nonpenetrating filtering surgery, whereas the incidence of complications is lower. Our personal experience with 35 patients, operated on for phacoemulsification and deep sclerectomy with external trabeculectomy in the same operation confirms that this combined surgery in a single operation is effective in controlling ocular pressure in glaucoma subjects (mean reduction in tension, 23%), with few complications.