Cataract Surgery Outcomes in Patients With Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome

To analyze the outcomes of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS).

This was a retrospective observational study. Patients with ARS who underwent cataract surgery and had a minimum postoperative follow-up of 6 weeks were included. Visual outcomes after cataract surgery and complications were evaluated in these patients.

All patients underwent uneventful cataract surgery. A total of 12 eyes of 11 patients were included, 6 males and 5 females. The mean age was 45.3 ± 10.5 years, and the mean follow-up period was 21.6 months. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) preoperatively was 0.9 ± 0.3 Log MAR and postoperatively was 0.4 ± 0.3 LogMAR ( P = 0.0043). Eleven patients had secondary glaucoma requiring surgical intervention in 6/12 eyes (50%). Two patients required Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) postcataract surgery for corneal decompensation. No significant intraoperative complications occurred in these patients.

Cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation in patients with ARS is safe, but visual improvement depends on comorbid conditions.