AIM: To investigate visual and intra-ocular pressure (IOP) outcomes of combined cataract and glaucoma surgery at a high-volume centre in East Africa carried out over a 1-year period (2006). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patient records. RESULTS: A total of 163 patients were identified. Mean age was 67 years (SD 11, range 21-86 years) and 113 (69%) were men. Presenting visual acuity in the operated eye was 6/60 or worse in 135/163 (93%) and was <3/60 in 76 of 163 (47%) patients. Mean presenting IOP was 28 mm Hg (SD 9, range 12-60). Pre-operative cup disc ratios were 0.8 or worse in 131 of 163 (85%) patients. Phacotrabeculectomy (PT) was carried out in 130 (80%) cases, small incision cataract surgery trabeculectomy (SICST) in 10 (6.1%) cases, and extra-capsular cataract extraction trabeculectomy (ECCET) in 23 (14.1%) cases. In all, 107 (66%) attended for follow-up (mean interval 104 days, range: 6-390 years, SD 88) and at follow-up 75 (70%) patients had improved visual acuity pre-operatively. Pre-operative cup disc ratio of 0.9 or greater predicted failure to improve VA at follow-up (OR 4.0 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30-12.1). Fifty-nine (62% (95%CI 52-71%)) patients had follow-up IOPs of 6-15 mm Hg and 82 (85% (95% CI 78-92%)) had follow-up IOPs of 6-20 mm Hg. CONCLUSION: Combined surgery produces visual benefit for most patients with similar pressure control to pure trabeculectomy and is therefore a useful option in practises where follow-up may be doubtful.