[Phacoemulsification and pseudoexfoliative syndrome]

To compare the results and the complications of cataract surgery by phacoemulsification in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) and without pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

A retrospective clinical study (January 2001 - January 2004; mean follow-up 21.5 months) of 116 cases divided in two groups: group A (55 eyes) with senile cataract and pseudoexfoliation syndrome and group B (61 eyes) with senile cataract but without pseudoexfoliation syndrome. The eyes were without another associated ophthalmological diseases and the phacoemulsifications were performed by the same surgeon. Intraoperative observations included anterior chamber depth, pupil size after maximal mydriasis, zonular dehiscence, capsule tear, vitreous loss and postoperatively: best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), aqueous flare response and IOL stability were evaluated at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and until 3 years. The Student-t test was used for statistical analyses.

There were determined significant correlations between pupil size, anterior chamber depth and the rate of complications in the group A. The visual acuities were similar in both groups. IOP reduction was superior in the eyes with PEX as compared with control group, but without statistically significantly difference. In group A, there were a non-statistically significantly percentage of IOL dislocation as compared with group B. In the eyes with PEX, it is necessary to utilize IOLs with bigger optic size.

Phacoemulsification represents a safe method in cataract surgery in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome in the presence of careful surgical technique: maximal mydriasis, circular continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, adequate hydrodissection. On the long run, the postoperative results were comparable between eyes with PEX and the control group (without PEX).