[Pars plana lensectomy preserving a clear anterior capsule in vitreous surgery]

The anterior capsule was preserved intact in pars plana lensectomy in 14 cases of pars plana vitrectomy carried out for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 9 cases, sarcoid uveitis in one case, proliferative vitreo-retinopathy in 3 cases and retinal detachment with a giant break in one case. Follow-up periods ranged from 6 to 17 months, with a mean of 11 months. Simultaneous posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation anterior to the anterior capsule was performed in 7 cases, and in one case secondary implantation was performed 4 months later. In 11 cases anterior capsules remained clear and in 9 of them lens epithelial cells had been thoroughly removed up to the equator using a Terry squeegee. Posterior synechia occurred in 4 cases in which air or gas tamponade had been done. This method allows complete anterior vitrectomy and is adaptable not only to simultaneous but also secondary posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.