If you have been diagnosed with both glaucoma and cataracts, you may be wondering whether you need two separate operations — and two separate recoveries. The answer, for many patients, is no. Combined glaucoma and cataract surgery is not only possible; for the right candidate it is often the smarter clinical choice.
Why the two conditions often occur together
Glaucoma and cataracts frequently develop in tandem, particularly in patients over 60. Both are linked to age-related changes in the eye, and both affect the lens and the drainage pathways that regulate intraocular pressure (IOP). For patients already attending regular glaucoma monitoring appointments at London OC, a developing cataract is something your specialist will track closely — because the timing of treatment matters.
What combined surgery involves
The procedure combines phacoemulsification cataract extraction — in which the cloudy natural lens is replaced with a clear intraocular lens implant (IOL) — with a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) performed at the same time. Common MIGS procedures used in combination include trabecular micro-bypass stents and goniotomy. The entire procedure typically takes under an hour under local anaesthetic, with no additional hospital admission required.
Cataract removal itself can lower IOP modestly in some patients, which is why the decision about whether to add a MIGS procedure is always made on an individual basis. At LondonOC, your surgeon reviews your glaucoma severity, current medication load and target pressures before recommending the approach that is right for you.
The benefits of treating both conditions at once
A single operation means a single recovery, a single set of post-operative drops, and a single period of reduced activity. For patients managing glaucoma medication alongside the visual disruption of cataracts, combined surgery can also reduce long-term dependence on pressure-lowering eye drops — improving quality of life considerably.
Is combined surgery right for you?
Not every patient is a candidate, and the decision is never one-size-fits-all. If you are currently under care for glaucoma at LondonOC and your vision is being affected by cataracts, speak to your consultant at your next appointment. An up-to-date OCT scan and visual field test will help determine whether combined surgery offers the best outcome for your eyes.