Surgical Management of Coexisting Cataract and Glaucoma

Coexisting glaucoma and cataract is a more frequent problem with aging of the world population. Recent clinical glaucoma clinical trial data from AGIS, CIGTS, EMGT, CNTGS, and OHTS report that both medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma increases the rate of cataract development. Surgical management of concomitant glaucoma and cataract is complex, given the large number of treatment options and technical approaches. Conclusions from evidence-based medicine reports regarding the outcomes of different surgical techniques in combined cataract and glaucoma treatment provide new insight into the management of coexisting disease. As technologies and techniques evolve for the management of glaucoma and cataract, so will the complexity of the decision-making process to optimize surgical outcomes for these two major causes of visual impairment.