Is combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy as effective as trabeculectomy alone?

We reviewed the charts of 60 consecutive patients with open-angle glaucoma who underwent a trabeculectomy (T) or a single-site combined glaucoma and cataract procedure (phaco-trabeculectomy = PT) to compare the pressure lowering effect of both techniques. The pressure lowering effect after 12 months was significant in both groups: 11.44 +/- 5.