Combined Femtosecond Laser–Assisted Cataract Surgery and Endocyclophotocoagulation in Treatment of Patients With Both Cataracts and Glaucoma
Purpose
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined femtosecond laser cataract surgery and ECP in the treatment of patients with both cataracts and glaucoma.
Methods
A retrospective case series of 20 combined femto-laser assisted cataract surgeries and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) was evaluated. Consecutive patients with at one least one year of follow-up were included in the series. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of visually significant cataract and mild to moderate glaucoma with the active use of at least one glaucoma medication. The primary endpoint measure was IOP at one year. Secondary measures were refractive error, visual acuity, complications, postoperative inflammation and use of postoperative medications.
Results
Patients who underwent combined femto-laser assisted cataract surgery combined with ECP had a significant reduction in IOP from baseline (mean IOP reduction= 5.7 mm Hg, p= 0.03). Mean reduction in glaucoma medications was 1.1 medications. The use of the ECP appeared to have no impact on predicted refractive outcome of the cataract surgery. Most patients exhibited a need for more prolonged use of anti-inflammatory medications beyond the usual postoperative regimen used for cataract surgery.
Conclusion
The combined use of femto-laser assisted cataract surgery and ECP appears to be an effective and safe method of treating cataract and glaucoma. The impact of the ECP on refractive outcome of the cataract surgery appears to be minimal and the IOP reduction can be significant.