LONG-TERM RESULTS FOR SIMULTANEOUS SURGICAL TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA COMBINED WITH CATARACT USING THE SUPRACHOROIDAL AUTOSCLERAL DRAINAGE METHOD

The development of cataract in patients with glaucoma poses an important task for ophthalmologist to sought pathogenetic feasible and effective treatment of this combined pathology. This is due to the fact that glaucoma and cataract are one of the main causes of blindness and low vision [1]. In comparison with traditional methods, sutureless cataract surgery and new methods for anti-glaucoma operations are widely used in clinical practice due to their high records of safety. The latter has led to an increasing use of combined treatment for patients with combined pathology among the population [2]. The combined operation allows normalization of ophthalmotonus and restore visual functions, which is exceedingly important in reducing the amount of time required for visual, professional and social rehabilitation [3]. The utilization of drains in ophthalmic surgery is the most relevant and propitious direction in ophthalmic surgery, in view of the fact that they cause a longer and stable hypotensive effect. Currently, methods of activation of the uveoscleral outflow pathway by introducing drains from different materials into the suprachoroidal space, as well as a combination of operations aim at activating various aqueous humor outflow pathways [4]. The existence of numerous surgical aids (their modifications), various drains and drainage devices indicate that there is no universal surgical method for treatment of glaucoma [8]. Currently, the most promising methods are: (I) the activation of uveoscleral outflow pathway by introducing drains from different materials into the suprachoroidal space, and (II) the combination of operations aim at activating various aqueous humor outflow pathways [5].