[Phacoemulsification cataract surgery in vitrectomized eyes]

This study focuses on determining the intra- and post-operative complications stemming from technical difficulties, anatomical aspects, intraoperatory management and visual outcome of post-vitrectomized patients that undergo phacoemulsification.

In this prospective, longitudinal, observational and descriptive study phacoemulsification was performed in 25 post-vitrectomized eyes that required cataract surgery. Pre-surgical variables: sex, age, affected eye, visual accuity, underlying vitreoretinal disease, anterior segment morphological findings such as: cataract density and pupil alterations. Intrasurgical variables: characteristic of anterior chamber and pupil, phacoemulsification technique and time and the presence of complications. Post-surgical variables were also registered: visual capacity and the presence of complications. Minimum six-month follow-up period.

The average interval between pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification was 18.5 months. Silicone oil was the most frequent tamponade used in our serie (44%). Biomicroscopical findings were miosis 28% and posterior synechies 24%. The average interval of phaco time was 2.26 minutes. The intraoperative findings were fluctuations in the anterior chamber depth (24%) and anterior capsular tears (12%). The postoperative complications most frequently seen were posterior capsular plaque (28%) and corneal edema (16%).

Phacoemulsification is a safe and effective technique in eyes after pars plana vitrectomy that require cataract surgery. The surgeon must be aware of the morphological and anatomical findings of these eyes. Visual rehabilitation will generally be determined by the presence of an underlying vitreo-retinal pathology.