Cataract surgery after tube shunts

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the effect of cataract surgery on glaucomatous eyes with functioning tube shunts.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 11 eyes of 11 patients with functioning tube shunts who underwent cataract extraction.

Results: The mean follow-up after cataract extraction was 21 +/- 27 months (range, 4-97 months). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean preoperative intraocular pressure and mean postoperative intraocular pressure (17.4 +/- 3.7 mm Hg vs 17.8 +/- 5.9 mmHg; P = 0.85, paired t test). Most patients exhibited a statistically significant rise or drop in pressure, but in none was there a clinically significant change. The mean number of preoperative and postoperative antiglaucoma medications was also not significantly different (1.5 +/- 1.1 vs 1.7 +/- 1.2; P = 0.44, paired t test). Snellen visual acuity improved at least 2 lines in 6 eyes (55%). Complications after cataract extraction included corneal edema in three eyes, one of which had subsequent loss of control of intraocular pressure.

Conclusions: Eyes with a functioning tube shunt undergoing cataract extraction can maintain control of intraocular pressure while achieving visual improvement.