[Postoperative outcomes after combined glaucoma surgery. Comparison of ex-press miniature implant with standard trabeculectomy].

PURPOSE To evaluate postoperative outcomes and success after combined phacoemulsification and glaucoma surgery with Ex-PRESS miniature implant compared with combined surgery with standard trabeculectomy. METHODS In this prospective series of 40 consecutive eyes we compared 20 eyes in 17 patients treated with combined phacoemulsification and glaucoma filtering surgery with the Ex-PRESS miniature glaucoma implant under a scleral flap with 20 matched control eyes in 20 patients who underwent combined cataract and glaucoma surgery with trabeculectomy. RESULTS The average follow-up was 9.7 months (range 4.5 to 15) for the Ex-PRESS group and 10.3 months (range 3.5 to 14.5) for the trabeculectomy group. The mean IOP was significantly higher in the early postoperative period in the Ex-PRESS group compared with the trabeculectomy group. Complications rate in the early postoperative period was significantly higher in the trabeculectomy group. No significant differences were objectified in success between both groups after the first week. DISCUSSION The Ex-PRESS implant is an effective and safe alternative to standard trabeculectomy in selected cases which makes possible to reduce remarkably the classic early postoperative complications associated with trabeculectomy.