ABSTRACT
When carefully considered, the combination of cataract extraction with trabeculectomy is a valuable surgical option in the management of patients with coexisting glaucoma and cataract. Important variables to consider when deciding whether to perform simultaneous or sequential cataract extraction and trabeculectomy include the level of intraocular pressure (IOP) control and the degree of optic nerve damage. Optic nerve damage can be categorized clinically according to the amount of visual field loss. A simple method of interpretation would suggest that early nerve damage is associated with little or no visual field damage, moderate damage shows field defects in one hemifield and advanced damage results in visual field loss in both hemifields.
