Early postoperative capsular block syndrome

To report the results of early postoperative capsular block syndrome (CBS) after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

Department of Ophthalmology, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.

Thirteen eyes of 13 patients with CBS who had uneventful phacoemulsification were included in the study. Twelve patients had in-the-bag implantation of a foldable IOL, and 1 had implantation of a poly(methyl methacrylate) IOL in the ciliary sulcus. Continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis was performed in all eyes, and sodium hyaluronate 1.4% (Healon GV(R)) was used during all steps of surgery. The patients were closely followed without intervention during the first month after surgery. If resolution did not occur during follow-up, a neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser peripheral anterior capsulotomy was performed first, followed by posterior capsulotomy if the anterior capsulotomy was not successful.

The CBS resolved without intervention in 2 eyes by 1 month postoperatively. A small Nd:YAG laser peripheral anterior capsulotomy was attempted in 10 cases after 1 month but could not be performed in 2 eyes because of inadequate pupil dilation. Peripheral anterior capsulotomy was successful in 5 of 8 eyes, with resolution of CBS in a few days. The Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was successful in 5 cases after the failure of the anterior capsulotomy. One patient chose to postpone treatment for 11 months, at which time posterior capsulotomy was performed successfully and the CBS resolved.

Resolution of CBS occurred spontaneously in only a small percentage of cases during the first month after phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. Neodymium:YAG laser peripheral anterior capsulotomy and posterior capsulotomy were successful in treating CBS.