The effect of heparin‐coated intraocular lenses on intraocular pressure following combined trabeculectomy and cataract surgery

Purpose : To review the effects on intraocular pressure control of the use of standard and heparin‐coated intraocular lenses (IOLs) following combined cataract and glaucoma surgery after a minimum period of 2 years. Methods : Case note review of all patients with glaucoma who required cataract extraction combined with trabeculectomy and who were randomized to either of the two IOL types. The number of ocular hypotensive medications and the intraocular pressures were recorded pre‐operatively and at 3,6,18 and 24 months following surgery. Results : The two groups (9 receiving standard IOLs and 10 heparin‐coated IOLs) were comparable for age, sex and follow‐up, as were the pre‐operative intraocular pressures and number of treatments. Post‐operatively, all patients achieved an intraocular pressure < 21 mmHg at the final visit, with only one patient in each group requiring topical medication, but the standard lens group had a higher intraocular pressure at 2 years (p<0.05). The magnitude of the fall from the pre‐operative values was greater in the heparin‐coated lens group at 2 years after surgery (p<0.02). The presence of a visible drainage bleb occurred equally frequently in the two groups. Conclusions : Use of a heparin‐coated IOL does not adversely affect the intraocular pressure control following combined cataract and drainage surgery. The greater fall in intraocular pressure at 2 years in those receiving a heparin‐coated IOL may have occurred by chance.