Visual outcome of pars plana vitrectomy for retained lens fragments after phacoemulsification

To evaluate the visual outcome of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for posteriorly dislocated lens fragments after phacoemulsification.

A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients who had PPV for posteriorly dislocated lens fragments after phacoemulsification between January 2000 and September 2004 in the Vitreoretinal Service at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Demographics, preexisting eye diseases, details of the previous cataract surgery, findings at presentation, details of the vitreoretinal procedures, final visual acuity, and complications observed during the follow-up were evaluated.

Of the 60 patients identified, 37 patients (37 eyes) had a full set of data and were included in the study. In 21 eyes (56.8%), PPV was performed within 1 week of cataract extraction; in 15 eyes (40.5%), PPV was performed more than 1 week postcataract extraction. An initial visual acuity of 20/200 or worse was found in 34 eyes (91.9%). The final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 10 eyes (27%), and 20/200 or worse in 13 eyes (35.1%). Retinal detachments were found in 3 eyes (8.1%): 1 before and 2 after vitrectomy.

There was no statistically significant difference in outcome between those having vitrectomy the first week after cataract surgery and those having it later; however, there was a trend of better visual outcome in early vitrectomy patients (within 1 week).