Background To investigate the safety and efficacy of scleral concave pool trabeculectomy (SCPT) combined phacoemulsification for eyes with coexisting cataract and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods This was a retrospective, controlled, interventional pilot case series. Thirty patients (30 eyes) were diagnosed with coexisting cataract and POAG between May 2015 and April 2018. Fourteen eyes underwent SCPT combined phacoemulsification were set as the study group, and 16 eyes received conventional phacotrabeculectomy were set as the control group. All patients were followed up for at least 6 months. The preoperative to postoperative changes in IOP, glaucoma medication requirements, BCVA, blebs functions, and adverse events were recorded. Results The groups were matched for baseline age, BCVA, IOP and types of IOP-lowering medications (all P > 0.05). At 6-month visit, there were no significant difference between control and study group in the improvement of BCVA (0.22 ± 0.24 versus 0.18 ± 0.26, P = 0.718), reduction of IOP (− 11.21 ± 8.61 mmHg versus − 9.19 ± 9.18 mmHg, P = 0.540) and the number of eyes that needed IOP-lowering medications (2 versus 3, P = 0.743). At the last visit, the rate of forming functioning blebs was significantly different between the study and control groups, (92.9% versus 68.7% respectively, P = 0.007). In the study group, 5 eyes developed hypotony, and 1 eye showed limited choroidal detachment, whereas in the control group 1 eye developed malignant glaucoma. All adverse events were successfully managed. Conclusion The SCPT combined phacoemulsification seems to be a safe and effective alternative to conventional phacotrabeculectomy for patients with POAG and visually significant cataract in the short-term.

Purpose To investigate the safety and efficacy of scleral concave pool trabeculectomy (SCPT) combined phacoemulsification for eyes with coexisting cataract and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods This was a retrospective, controlled, interventional case series. Thirty patients (30 eyes) were diagnosed with coexisting cataract and POAG between May 2015 and April 2018. Fourteen eyes underwent SCPT combined phacoemulsification were set as the study group, and 16 eyes received conventional phacotrabeculectomy were set as the control group. All patients were followed up for at least 6 months. The preoperative to postoperative changes in IOP, glaucoma medication requirements, BCVA, blebs functions, and adverse events were recorded.Results The groups were matched for baseline age, BCVA, IOP and types of IOP-lowering medications (all P>0.05). At 6-month visit, there were no significant difference between control and study group in the improvement of BCVA (0.22±0.24 versus 0.18±0.26, P=0.718), reduction of IOP (-11.21±8.61mmHg versus -9.19±9.18mmHg, P=0.540) and the number of eyes that needed IOP-lowering medications (2 versus 3, P=0.743). At the last visit, the rate of forming functioning blebs was significantly different between the study and control groups, (92.9% versus 68.7% respectively, P=0.007). In the study group, 5 eyes developed shallow anterior chamber,and 1 eye showed limited choroidal detachment, whereas in the control group 1 eye developed malignant glaucoma. All adverse events were successfully managed.Conclusion The SCPT combined phacoemulsification is a safe and effective alternative to conventional phacotrabeculectomy for patients with POAG and visually significant cataract.

Background: To investigate the safety and efficacy of scleral concave pool trabeculectomy (SCPT) combined phacoemulsification for eyes with coexisting cataract and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods: This was a retrospective, controlled, interventional case series. Thirty patients (30 eyes) were diagnosed with coexisting cataract and POAG between May 2015 and April 2018. Fourteen eyes underwent SCPT combined phacoemulsification were set as the study group, and 16 eyes received conventional phacotrabeculectomy were set as the control group. All patients were followed up for at least 6 months. The preoperative to postoperative changes in IOP, glaucoma medication requirements, BCVA, blebs functions, and adverse events were recorded. Results: The groups were matched for baseline age, BCVA, IOP and types of IOP-lowering medications (all P>0.05). At 6-month visit, there were no significant difference between control and study group in the improvement of BCVA (0.22±0.24 versus 0.18±0.26, P=0.718), reduction of IOP (-11.21±8.61mmHg versus -9.19±9.18mmHg, P=0.540) and the number of eyes that needed IOP-lowering medications (2 versus 3, P=0.743). At the last visit, the rate of forming functioning blebs was significantly different between the study and control groups, (92.9% versus 68.7% respectively, P=0.007). In the study group, 5 eyes developed hypotony，and 1 eye showed limited choroidal detachment, whereas in the control group 1 eye developed malignant glaucoma. All adverse events were successfully managed. Conclusion: The SCPT combined phacoemulsification is a safe and effective alternative to conventional phacotrabeculectomy for patients with POAG and visually significant cataract.

Background:There are some techniques for disassembly of hard nuclear.It is challenging in hard cataract surgery through microincision.The classic chop or prechop techniques often do not succeed,resulting in incomplete nuclear segmentation.The authors describe a new chop technique for removing hard nucleus cataracts in coaxial microincisional cataract surgery.Methods:We have termed this new technique“drill and prechop”.We create a deep hole (drill) in the central nucleus with the phaco tip and divide the nucleus (prechop) with the Nagahara chopper and the modified capsulorhexis forceps inside the hole.The chopper and the modified capsulorhexis forceps are spread apart laterally after they approach at the center of the nucleus, to create a complete fracture across the entire nucleus.Since January 2022, we have completed 27 eyes of 25 patients with hard nucleus cataract using this technique. Results:Complete segmentation of the hard nuclear into two hemispheres was implemented with this drill and prechop technique in all cases.The phaco time and energy decreased significantly.No intraoperative complication such as iris injury, anterior capsule tears, zonulysis, or posterior capsule rupture with vitreous loss occurred during surgery.Conclusions:This technique simplifies the previous prechop techniques especially for hard nucleus in microincisional cataract surgery. The technique is efficient, safe and simple.Even inexperienced surgeons are able to quickly master this technique.