Management of surgically dislocated intravitreal lens fragments by pars plana vitrectomy

We examined 26 eyes (19 of them following phacoemulsification) with surgically dislocated intravitreal lens fragments; 24 eyes were subsequently operated on using pars plana vitrectomy for removal of lens fragments. From this select group of patients we found moderate to severe uveitis, glaucoma, and vitreous opacification present in virtually all cases. Less common complications were retinal detachments (six cases) and bullous keratopathy; the latter problem was found most commonly in eyes subjected to anterior segment maneuvers such as the use of lens loops or vitreous irrigation for removal of the lens material. Pars plana vitrectomy proved an excellent method for removal of lens fragments. A simultaneous two-instrument technique using the Wilson foreign-body forceps and the vitrectomy machine facilitated removal of the denser sclerotic lens fragments. This procedure resulted in resolution of the uveitis and glaucoma with improvement in visual acuity in 20 of the 24 eyes. However, only 10 of the 24 patients operated on obtained 20/40 or better visual acuity. A relatively prompt pars plana vitrectomy in eyes subjected to a minimum of surgical trauma yielded the best visual results.