AIM: To investigate the clinical effects of phacoemulsification and surgical techeniques in small pupil cataract after filtering operation of glaucoma.

METHODS: Thirty-six cases(36 eyes)of small pupil cataract after filtering operation of glaucoma were underwent phacoemulsification combined with foldable intraocular lens implantation. Postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure filtration bleb and complications were observed. The follow-up time was 3mo.

RESULTS: The preoperative uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA)or best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)≤0.3 were in all patients. Postoperativerly, the UCVA or BCVA≥0.3 after 1wk and 3mo were achieved in 23 eyes(63.89%)and 34 eyes(94.44%). BCVA was <0.3 in 2 eyes(5.56%)including optic nerve atrophy of one eye and diabetic retinopathy of one eye. All patients were kept the level of normal intraocular pressure and completed filtering bleb, there were no serious complications.

CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification in small pupil cataract after filtering operation of glaucoma was complex, and reasonable application of operation skills can still achieve better clinical results. The main factor of affecting the visual acuity is pre-existing retinal optic neuropathy.