What are the specifics of cataract surgery in a patient with treatment-resistant high intraocular pressure due to glaucoma? I am a 43-year-old businessman. I was diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma and cataract in span of just two years. My treatment consi

In many glaucoma patients, cataract surgery is performed the same way as it is performed in non-glaucomatous patients.

Depending on your severity, the surgeon may use some special techniques to make sure your pressure does not go up too high during or after the surgery. In a small group of patients who are not being well controlled on glaucoma drops, a combined cataract surgery along with a glaucoma surgery (tube shunt or trabeculectomy) can be performed at the same time. Your doctor will be able to best answer whether you will need a single cataract surgery or a combined procedure. Would you like to video or text chat with me?

Your intraocular pressure needs to be treated and stable prior to cataract surgery.

For open angle glaucoma, this may include topical and/or oral medications and laser therapy. Once stable, cataract surgery may be performed as long as your pressure is monitored closely with repeated pressure checks over the first few hours. Would you like to video or text chat with me?

Typical cataracts and glaucoma would be treated independently of each other. About 25-35% of the time cataract surgery can also result in lower pressures in the eye.

You should consider cataract surgery if it is affecting you activities of daily living. There are many treatments for glaucoma, and with today's medications and lasers it can be controlled in 95 plus percent of the population. Would you like to video or text chat with me?