Cataract extraction without prophylactic treatment in patients with severe factor XI deficiency

To assess the risks of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding associated with cataract extraction without prophylactic treatment in patients with severe factor XI (FXI) deficiency.

Prospective interventional case series.

Single institute.

Consecutive unrelated patients with severe FXI deficiency who underwent cataract extraction under topical anesthesia, with a clear corneal incision, phacoemulsification, and implantation of a foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) were enrolled. Patients with associated intraocular conditions that could complicate the surgery were excluded.

Cataract extraction without prophylactic treatment for the FXI deficiency.

Assessment of intraoperative and postoperative ocular bleeding and other related complications.

Seven patients ranging in age from 61 to 95 years (median, 79) underwent phacoemulsification and PCIOL implantation in 11 eyes. Five patients (71%) were homozygotes for type II mutation of the FXI gene (activity level of <1 U/dl), 1 patient was a homozygote for type III mutation (activity level of 11 U/dl), and 1 patient was a compound heterozygote for types II and III (activity level of 3 U/dl). Three of the patients (43%), all type II homozygotes, also had an inhibitor antibody to FXI. All 7 patients were followed for at least 1 week after the operation. The surgery was uneventful in all eyes, and neither major nor minor bleeding events were observed in any of the operated eyes during surgery and follow-up.

Cataract extraction by phacoemulsification in uncomplicated eyes can be performed safely without prophylactic treatment in patients with severe FXI deficiency with or without inhibitor antibodies against FXI.