Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in patients with uveitis

Cataract remains a challenge for ophthalmologists in uveitic eyes. The aim of this study is to report the clinical course of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in eyes suffering from uveitis.

Patients presenting a uveitis were prospectively followed from June 2001 to June 2003. Ocular surgery was performed according to a standard protocol, autoimmune follow-up visits were focused on the early detection of complications of uveitis: increased ocular inflammation, synechiae, retraction of the rhexis, opacification of the posterior capsule or onset of cystoid macular edema.

Thirty-two eyes of 24 patients suffering from uveitis were operated with cataract surgery between June 2001 and June 2003. The mean age at surgery was 56 years (range 24 - 86 years). Mean preoperative visual acuity in uveitis patients presenting cataract was 0.3 +/- 0.3, and final visual acuity was 0.8 +/- 0.3. Three patients presented minor postoperative complications. One patient had a cystoid macular edema that appeared 5 months after surgery and one patient had a relapse of herpetic dendritic keratopathy despite topical antiviral therapy combined with steroid drops. The latter presented a slight increase of intraocular pressure (24 mm Hg).

In patients with uveitis requiring cataract surgery, intraocular lens implantation is safe. Visual prognosis is better when pre- and postoperative inflammation is minimized. Macular scars or other retinal lesions are poor prognostic indicators.