Abstract
Purpose:
Generally posterior subcapsular complicated cataract (PSC) is a well known feature in retinitis pigmentosa(RP) patients, while anterior subcapsular cataract(ASC) of such patients is seldom reported previously. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of complicated cataract in RP.
Methods:
Patients with complicated cataract derived from retinitis pigmentosa who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were evaluated by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and ophthalmoscopy preoperatively, color photography of anterior segment and fundus were performed preoperatively and postoperatively respectively.
Results:
Twenty-five eyes of 17 cases ranging from 40 to 88 years old with retinitis pigmentosa were examined in detail. All patients showed the posterior subcapsular cataracts as well as characteristical ASC. Some combined with nuclear lens opacity. The ASC appeared to be gray and white opacity in irregular shapes, located in center of the pupil area of anterior subcapsule rather than in periphery. Nine patients showed ASC in one eye, but eight of the fellow eyes had undergone cataract surgery previously. Eight patients showed bilateral ASCs differing in opacity degrees. Fundus of all the cases presented typical RP manifestations of waxy pallor of the optic disk, attenuation of retinal vessels and pigmentary deposits resembling bone spicules.
Conclusions:
Complicated anterior subcapsular cataract appeared in quite a considerable portion of patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa on the way of retinal degeneration, which made a remarkable impairment of the residual visual acuity. And this manifestation may be an indication for the diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa. Cataract surgery is a pretty good choice for these patients, and interference with ASC formation might be one novel treatment strategy for such patients prospectively.
Keywords: 445 cataract •
702 retinitis