Long-term follow-up of anterior uveitis after cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To assess whether cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with anterior uveitis interfere with the natural course of the ocular disease.

SETTING:

Tertiary care center at the University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.

METHODS:

Cataract extraction and IOL implantation were performed in 24 patients with uveitis-related cataract: 12 with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis (Group 1) and 12 with other types of anterior uveitis (Group 2). The mean follow-up in the 2 groups was 33.6 months and 24.8 months, respectively. The number and severity (inflammatory score) of uveitis relapses in all patients over the same period were recorded.

RESULTS:

After surgery, the mean number and severity of uveitis relapses decreased: Group 1, from 1.83 +/- 1.90 (SD) to 1.00 +/- 1.21 and from 1.08 +/- 0.90 to 0.92 +/- 0.67, respectively; Group 2, from 2.74 +/- 3.44 to 1.25 +/- 1.71 and from 1.83 +/- 1.10 to 1.25 +/- 0.75, respectively (P = .046). There were no statistically significant between-group differences. In Group 2, a trend toward worse visual rehabilitation was seen; this was significantly different from the result in Group 1 (P = .018) because of preoperative optic nerve damage, macula disease, or both.

CONCLUSION:

Cataract surgery and IOL implantation did not negatively influence the natural course of uveitis in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis. Correct surgical timing, selection of cases, and adequate anti-inflammatory therapy may promote similar results in patients with other types of anterior uveitis.

• Authors: P Pivetti-Pezzi, M Accorinti, M La Cava, M A Abdulaziz, F B Pantaleoni
• Journal: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery (J Cataract Refract Surg) Vol. 25 Issue 11 Pg. 1521-6 (Nov 1999) ISSN: 0886-3350 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10569169 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Glucocorticoids

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anterior Chamber (physiopathology)
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cataract Extraction
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Glucocorticoids (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Laser Therapy
• Lens Implantation, Intraocular
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Recurrence
• Reoperation
• Retrospective Studies
• Severity of Illness Index
• Treatment Outcome
• Uveitis, Anterior (physiopathology)
• Visual Acuity