Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate vitreoretinal changes following phacoemulsification (PHACO) or extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE).
Methods: :
200 eyes of 200 patients who underwent cataract extraction through PHACO or ECCE were prospectively evaluated before and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery, in order to identify new recognized entopic phenomena (vitreous floaters, light flashes or both) or vitreoretinal changes, using indirect depressed fundus examination, with +90 D preset lens, Goldman three–mirror contact lens, and ultrasound. According to the used technique, the eyes were divided into 2 groups: Group 1(G1) 100 eyes that underwent PHACO surgery, Group 2 (G2) 100 eyes that underwent ECCE. Patients with previous partial or total posterior vitreous cortex detachment (PVD) were excluded.
Results: :
After 1 month, vitreous floaters were found in 65 eyes (65%) from G1 and 80 eyes (80%) from G2. Light flashes were noted only in 2 eyes (2%) from G2. Partial or total posterior vitreous cortex detachment was detected by biomicroscopy in 22 eyes (22%) from G1 and 36 eyes (36%) from G2. The ultrasound also showed partial or total posterior cortex detachment, in 45 eyes (45%) from G1 and 76 eyes (76%) from G2. After 12 months vitreous floaters were found in 94 eyes (94%) from G1 and 98 eyes (98%) from G2. Light flashes were noted only in 5 eyes (5%) from G2. Partial or total posterior vitreous cortex detachment was detected by biomicroscopy in 45 eyes (45%) from G1 and 54 eyes (54%) from G2. The ultrasound also showed partial or total posterior cortex detachment, in 67 eyes (67%) from G1 and 91 eyes (91%) from G2.
Conclusions: :
After cataract extraction were clinically found in ECCE than PHACO eyes, mainly by ultrasound. The prevalence of vitreoretinal changes was significantly higher in eyes after ECCE then in eyes after PHACO.
Keywords: cataract • vitreous • retina