Extraction of dislocated lenses using vitrectomy techniques

In fourteen eyes in thirteen patients, dislocated lenses into the vitreous were extracted using the techniques of vitreous surgery. Our surgical techniques of the extraction, as well as the indication and the prognosis, were described in this paper. Techniques of the lens extraction were basically Barraquer's method, but in modified form. Vitrectomy was carried out by open sky approach (in 2 cases) or pars plana approach (in 12 cases). In cases complicated by acute phacolytic uveitis, excellent results were obtained by these surgical techniques after the complete control of inflammation with steroid. Before surgical extraction, intraocular pressure had been elevated over 21 mm Hg in eight cases. But in all these cases intraocular pressure was controlled without medication after surgery. Visual acuity was improved unless chorioretinal atrophy or glaucoma were not accompanied. From these surgical results, it seems to be reasonable to extract surgically the dislocated lens before the eye is severely damaged.