Cataract surgery in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a case report

We report a cataract operation with complications in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The patient had a grade 4 mature brown cataract. Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was planned; however, due to unexpected complications occurring during surgery, the operating technique was revised to an intracapsular cataract extraction. A very high vitreous pressure was found and therefore scleral fixating IOL was not implanted after anterior vitrectomy because of the possibility of choroidal effusion. The postoperative visual acuity improved sufficiently for the patient to communicate. Visual communication is of vital importance for an ALS patient and his caregivers. Therefore, surgery may be advisable in patients at a terminal stage with an advanced cataract, even if their general health condition may not seem appropriate for such an operation. Nevertheless, the intra- and postoperative course of the surgery may show unexpected complications and the surgeon should be prepared for such conditions.