Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: The reported incidence of retinal detachment after cataract surgery is between 0.3% and 3.6% depending on surgical procedure (ICCE, ECCE or phacoemulsification). The majority of data relate to the ICCE or ECCE technique. In this study, the incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after clear-cornea phacoemulsification is analysed. Methods: This retrospective study includes 528 cases of clear-cornea phacoemulsification (441 patients, 158 male, 283 female; age 73 ± 10 years) operated between january 1st, 1996 through may 31th, 1996 in the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Giessen. We documented all ocular diseases, axial length, intra- and postoperative complications, status of the retina before and after operation and type of IOL implanted. Concerning informations of the long-term follow-up, we contacted local ophthalmologists, in some cases the patients themselves. We also contacted the health insurances to get additional information about possible retinal surgery after phacoemulsification. Results: In 522 cases (99%), information concerning the long-time retinal status after phacoemulsification was obtained from the ophthalmologists or patiens. In 181 cases (34%), additional information from the health insurances was obtained. The mean follow-up was 3.6 years. In 8 cases, intraoperative complications occured (4 ruptures of the posterior capsula, 2 zonulolysis, 2 anterior chamber hemorrhages). In 176 cases YAG-laser capsulotomy was performed. There was one endophthalmitis as a serious postoperative complication. During follow-up, none of the eyes developed retinal detachment after phacoemulsification. Conclusion: In our series, clear-cornea phacoemulsification with IOL-implantation did not present a significant risk factor for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Even in eyes with a complicated preoperative status like high myopia, history of trauma or retinal detachment in the operated or fellow eye, a retinal detachment was not found postoperatively.
Keywords: 338 cataract • 563 retinal detachment