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¹Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Göz Hastalıkları A.D., İzmir, Uzm. Dr.
²Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Göz Hastalıkları A.D., İzmir, Prof. Dr. Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in patients with uveitis.
Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 35 eyes of 28 patients with uveitis who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation between January 1999 and October 2005 in our clinic. Patients who required combined surgery and whose follow-up was shorter than 3 months were excluded. The etiology of uveitis, visual acuity levels, preoperative and postoperative managements, implanted intraocular lens materials, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded.
Results: Ten of the 35 eyes were excluded due to short followup and 25 eyes of 19 patients comprised the study group. Mean age was 53.2±17.1 years (range 20-75 years) and mean follow-up time was 22.0±13.0 months (3-52 months). The etiology of uveitis was Behçet’s disease in 4 cases, pars planitis in 2 cases, Eales’ disease in 1 case, spondylarthropathy in 1 case, and idiopathic anterior uveitis in 11 cases. In 18 eyes hydrophobic acrylic was used, in 4 eyes silicone, in 2 eyes hydrophilic acrylic, and in 1 eye polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lenses. At the last follow-up visit, visual acuity of 16 of the 25 eyes (64%) had improved 2 or more Snellen lines and 7 eyes (28%) had a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Posterior capsule opacification occurred in 7 eyes (28%) and 2 of them underwent Neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy. Clinical cystoid macular edema was observed in 5 eyes (20%). During the follow-up, reactivation of uveitis occurred in 6 eyes (24%).
Conclusion: Visual improvement can be achieved in cases of uveitic cataract using phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Posterior capsule opacification is the most common postoperative complication. Keywords : Phacoemulsification, cataract, uveitis