Phacoemulsification combined with pars plana vitrectomy

Phacoemulsification combined with pars plana vitrectomy was performed on seven patients with both cataracts and vitreoretinal disease. Six of the seven had a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) placed in the capsular bag following cataract extraction. Visual acuities ranging from light perception to hand movement preoperatively, postoperatively ranged from hand movement to 20/25. There were no perioperative complications. During an average follow-up of more than 6 months, neovascular glaucoma developed in one patient, and a conjunctival cyst in another. The PC-IOLs were well tolerated. The small limbal incision used in phacoemulsification allows better control during the vitrectomy procedure and ensures a water-tight wound. In addition, with the limbal approach, the posterior lens capsule is maintained, with all the attendant advantages.