eye pressure with lens implants

For both types of lens implants, the procedure includes precise calculations of  the pressure inside the eye and having "holes" drilled into the eye to balance the eye pressure from what I understood once the implant lens is put in). My question is if later I get cataract and my own "natural" lens has to be removed, how will these pressure relief "holes" react since there will be less pressure on the eye? Thanks.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

A filtering procedure for pressure is only done for patients with uncontrolled glaucoma where even maximum treatment with drops or laser are not enough.  It can be combined with cataract surgery.  If you just have a trabulectomy, and later need cataract surgery, there is a chance that the trabeculectomy filter may not work at will.  Your cataract surgeon needs to be well aware of that.

Your eye doctor needs to instruct you much better about your condition and give you some pamphlets about it. "Holes drilled in the eye" is a very bad analagy to use.  It is much more elegant, controlled and subtle than that.

MJK MD