Comparison of phacoemulsification and planned extracapsular cataract extraction in combined pars plana vitrectomy and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To compare two kinds of cataract removal methods combined with pars plana vitrectomy and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) implantation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Cataract removal was performed by either phacoemulsification or extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and followed by pars plana vitrectomy and PC-IOL implantation. Between May 1996 and June 2001, 31 and 22 patients with cataract and vitreoretinal disease were treated by phacoemulsification and ECCE, respectively, combined with pars plana vitrectomy and PC-IOL implantation. Preoperative demographic data and postoperative vision, astigmatism change, and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS:

The mean age of patients in the phacoemulsification and ECCE groups was 62.5 and 63.4 years, respectively. Diabetes mellitus was the most common underlying disease resulting in vitreous opacity. Vision improved in 87.1% of the phacoemulsification group and 59.1% of the ECCE group. The change in astigmatism after surgery was 0.92+/-1.08 D (P = .001) in the ECCE group and 0.25+/-0.74 D (P = .087) in the phacoemulsification group. There were fewer postoperative complications, including recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, increased intraocular pressure, and iris changes in the phacoemulsification group than in the ECCE group.

CONCLUSION:

Phacoemulsification and ECCE combined with pars plana vitrectomy and PC-IOL implantation are both effective surgical methods to achieve better and more rapid visual rehabilitation for patients with combined cataract and vitreoretinal disease. In this study, phacoemulsification combined with pars plana vitrectomy and PC-IOL implantation resulted in greater improvement in vision, less astigmatism change, and fewer postoperative complications.

• Authors: Sheng-Yao Hsu, Wen-Chung Wu
• Journal: Ophthalmic surgery, lasers & imaging : the official journal of the International Society for Imaging in the Eye (Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging) 2005 Mar-Apr Vol. 36 Issue 2 Pg. 108-13 ISSN: 1542-8877 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15792310 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cataract (complications, therapy)
• Cataract Extraction (methods)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Lens Implantation, Intraocular (methods)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Phacoemulsification (methods)
• Retinal Diseases (complications, surgery)
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Visual Acuity
• Vitrectomy