BackgroundTrabeculectomy remains the most efficient method of lowering he IOP applied for the treatment of glaucoma refractory to pharmacological treatment. Cataract is concerned as the most frequent late complication of trabeculectomy. The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implantation on the morphology and function of filtering bleb in patients after previous successful trabeculectomy.MethodsThe retrospective study included 122 eyes treated for primary open angle glaucoma, 50 eyes (study group) in which, after a successful trabeculectomy with5-Fluorouracil, phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implantation was performed, and 72 eyes (control group), in which only a successful trabeculectomy was conducted. The surgical success of the trabeculectomy was expressed as IOP < 17 mmHg.ResultsIn the group of patients subjected to both trabeculectomy and phacoemulsification, mean IOP was significantly higher than in the group of patients who underwent trabeculectomy after 6 months (p = 0.003), 12 months (p = 0.01) and 18 months (p = 0.007) of observation. The filtering blebs after phacoemulsification in the study group were characterized by a greater reduction, compared to those in the control group. Cox regression survival success was 75% (SE = 5.9; 95% CI: 63.4 – 86.6), 75% (SE = 5.9; 95% CI: 63.4 – 86.6), 71% (SE = 5.4; 95% CI: 60.4 – 81.6) in study group and 92% (SE = 1.8; 95% CI: 91.5 – 98.5), 92% (SE = 1.9; 95% CI: 88.3 – 95.7), 91% (SE = 2.0; 95% CI: 87.1 – 94.9) in control group after 6, 12 and 18 months, respectively.ConclusionsPhacoemulsification causes a significant elevation of IOP in the eyes after previous successful trabeculectomy and deterioration of filtering bleb morphology.

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of simultaneous acute exposure to cadmium (Cd) and in the presence of streptozotozin (STZ) on the central nervous system (CNS) memory processes in mice subjected to transient brain ischemia. In order to obtain transient brain ischemia, operative occlusion of common carotid arteries for 30 min was performed. Cadmium chloride was administered intraperitoneally (ip) after the surgery at a single dose of 0.1 LD(50) (LD(50) = 14 mg/kg). Disturbances in glucose metabolism in the brain tissue were induced by bilateral intracerebral administration of STZ, a drug that inhibits the function of a neuronal insulin receptor. Long-term memory was evaluated by means of a step-through passive avoidance task. Spatial working memory expressed as spontaneous alternations was tested in the Y-maze test. Coexposure to brain oligemia and STZ on the CNS produced significant impairment of long-term memory processes in mice. An additional exposure to Cd exacerbated the deficits of these processes. These results indicate that brain oligemia, Cd, and altered glucose metabolism may aggravate adverse effects on memory.