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Cataract surgery can be successful in glaucoma patients, surgeon says
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LAS VEGAS — Clear corneal cataract surgery has an added benefit for patients who also have glaucoma, according to one surgeon.
“Cataract surgery alone usually lowers intraocular pressure from 2 mm Hg to 4 mm Hg,” according to Richard L. Lindstrom, MD. Dr. Lindstrom gave several surgical pearls and observations at the First Annual Ocular Surgery News Symposium — Glaucoma: Improving Your Odds.
Clear cornea surgery “clears the media, making optic nerve testing more effective,” he said. “Glaucoma patients and surgeons may be the most significant beneficiaries of clear corneal incisions.”
Dr. Lindstrom explained that the incision can be paracentesis style; two plane; modified Langerman; nasal in the left eye; or on axis in astigmatic patients.
Some concerns with patients undergoing cataract surgery who also have glaucoma is that many may have low endothelial cell counts. Dr. Lindstrom also said to “watch out for” cystoid macular edema.
In cases of inflammation, Dr. Lindstrom advised attendees to treat with a beta blocker or alpha-agonist.
Dr. Lindstrom is Chief Medical Editor of Ocular Surgery News.