Phacosclerothalamotomy – new surgical procedure in the treatment of coexisted cataract with glaucoma. Essence of technique surgery

Purpose
To present some relevant stages of phacosclerothalamotomy procedure.

Material and methods
Surgery comprised: superior clear corneal phacoemulsification with in the bag IOL implantation combined with 4 ab interno sclerostomy with high frequency diathermic probe. The position of the probe was checked under gonioscopic view and microscopic or endoillumination light. Six patients (6 eyes) were enrolled. In 5 patients there was POAG and POCG in 1.

Results
Phacoemulsification were performed uneventfully. During sclerothalamotomy bleeding within trabecular meshwork and shallowing of anterior chamber were observed. The value of IOP was lower in each case postoperatively. Antiglaucoma medications ratio was decreased.

Conclusions
Phacosclerothalamotomy links up some advantages of small incision cataract surgery with surgical bypass between anterior chamber and Schlemm’s canal as well as deep sclerostomy (thalamotomy) performed ab interno with diathermic probe. This technique allows to avoid some complications of filtration surgery.