Morphologic changes in the anterior segment after phacovitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

To determine whether combined phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) (phacovitrectomy) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) causes morphologic changes in the anterior segment and to evaluate whether there is a relationship between the anatomic changes and inflammatory complications.

Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea.

Patients who had uneventful surgery for PDR were divided into 2 groups (phacovitrectomy and PPV only). Morphologic changes in the ciliary regions were measured by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) 1 day before surgery and 1, 2, 3, 5 days, 2 weeks, 1 and 2 months after surgery. The UBM parameters and inflammatory complications in the 2 groups were compared.

The study comprised 60 patients; 30 had phacovitrectomy and 30, PPV only. The frequency of supraciliary effusions was higher in the phacovitrectomy group (24/30, 80%) than in the PPV-only group (14/30, 46%) (P = .015). The decrease in angle opening and anterior chamber depth was more prominent after phacovitrectomy. The incidence of complications was higher in the phacovitrectomy group than in the PPV-only group (60% versus 30%, abnormal intraocular pressure; 30% versus 7%, intraocular fibrin and posterior synechia formation); the complications were associated with supraciliary effusions.

The results indicate that phacovitrectomy for PDR may induce more morphologic changes in the anterior segment. Supraciliary effusions were associated with inflammatory complications. Appropriate control of postsurgical inflammation is necessary in phacovitrectomy for PDR.