Comparison between phacoemulsification and the blumenthal technique of manual small-incision cataract surgery combined with trabeculectomy

Objective: To compare results of filtration combined with either phacoemulsification or the Blumenthal technique of manual small-incision cataract surgery. Materials and Methods: Records of glaucoma "triple" operations from March 1997 to May 2000 were reviewed. Seventy-eight eyes (70 patients) that underwent phaco-triple were compared with 86 eyes (80 patients) that underwent the Blumenthal technique of manual small-incision cataract surgery combined with filtration (Blumenthal triple). Three minutes of 0.4 mgs/ml Mitomycin was used in all eyes. Posterior chamber IOLs were implanted through 5.5-mm incisions in both groups. Outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and achievement of target IOP. Fourteen patients who underwent phacoemulsification-triple in one eye and Blumenthal triple in the other eye were also evaluated separately. Results: The minimum follow-up period was 6 months (range 6-30 months). At last follow-up review, mean reduction in IOP was 17.7 mm Hg (+/- 9.3 mm Hg) in the phaco group and 17.1 mm Hg ( 10 mm Hg) in the Blumenthal group. At last visit, target IOP was achieved in 75.6% of the phaco group and 73% of the Blumenthal group. There was no significant difference between group, in IOP reduction or achievement of target IOP. In the 14 patients who had undergone phaco-triple in one eye and Blumenthal-triple in the other, there was no inter-eye difference in IOP reduction. Conclusions: In this small retrospective study we could not demonstrate a difference in IOP outcomes between the two procedures.