Cataract extraction outcomes in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis

To analyze the visual outcomes and complication rate after cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis.

L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.

This retrospective nonrandomized interventional study comprised 103 patients who were examined at the uvea clinic at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute between March 2000 and March 2004 and who were diagnosed with Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis and cataract. They had extracapsular cataract extraction or phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. Outcomes measures were postoperative visual acuity, ocular inflammation, and complication rate.

There were 57 men and 54 women in the study; the mean age was 31.36 years +/- 11.55 (SD) (range 10 to 60 years). Postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 5 weeks was 20/40 or greater in 91 patients (88.3%) (95% confidence interval [CI], 82.1-94.5). Eight patients (7.8%) had vitreous inflammation 5 weeks postoperatively. Five patients (4.9%) preoperatively and 3 patients (2.9%) postoperatively had elevated intraocular pressure. Clinically detected cystoid macular edema developed in 1 patient. The mean follow-up was 12.9 months in 53 patients. At the final follow-up, 49 of 53 patients (91.5%) (95% CI, 99.0-84.0) had a visual acuity of 20/40 or greater. Ten eyes (18.9%) had mild anterior chamber reaction. Decreased visual acuity (20/40 or worse) was the result of anterior chamber reaction in 4 patients, glaucoma in 3 patients, vitreous inflammation in 2 patients, and posterior capsule opacification, corneal edema, macular hole, and astigmatism in 1 patient each.

Cataract surgery with PC IOL implantation in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis resulted in good visual outcomes. Postoperative inflammation was mild and developed in few cases.