What are the risks and benefits of nuclear expression or phacoemulsification in patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma?
The interventions evaluated included two commonly used methods for cataract extraction: nuclear expression and phacoemulsification. Several methods used for the surgical management of glaucoma were studied, including laser treatment, filtration surgery, and the newer techniques of endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation and the so-called nonpenetrating procedures. The use of the antifibrosis agents 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C was also evaluated. The various ways in which cataract and glaucoma surgery can be performed either simultaneously or sequentially were studied. The primary outcome assessed for the questions involving glaucoma surgery was IOP, both in the immediate postoperative period and long term. The articles reviewed generally lacked useful data on optic nerve appearance and visual fields, thereby precluding a meaningful review of those outcomes. Likewise, the lack of information concerning complications limited the ability to address the risk aspects of each question. For the q
