This is a very controversial topic as some surgeons will do combined surgeries more readily than others. It is common belief that combined surgeries have less success in IOP control than when the glaucoma procedure is done alone. Those who prefer to do the surgeries separately attempt to identify the main problem such as what is of greater importance; the cataract or the glaucoma? Then they address them one at a time unless they are of equal importance and then, even those who prefer separate surgeries, will perform simultaneous procedures. So part of the answer really lies with the particular bias the surgeon has.

Indications:

part of a routine procedure according to the beliefs of the surgeon who favors simultaneous surgeries

in the case of the other group who operate on each problem individually -

a. where there is a simultaneous need for an urgent solution for both problems - vision restoration and IOP control. b. where geography and / or patient compliance is a problem and one surgery is all the chance a surgeon has. c. where general health dictates the use of only one procedure