Abstract
Purpose :
To investigate the outcomes of phacoemulsification and posterior intraocular lens implantation (IOL) in patients with chronic or recurrent uveitis.
Methods :
The records of 109 eyes of 84 patients with a history of chronic or recurrent uveitis who had undergone cataract extraction by phacoemulsification and IOL implantation between 2010 and 2015 were retrospectively examined. The main outcomes were final visual acuity, postoperative complications, the presence of relapse and the clinical features of patients who suffered a recurrence of intraocular inflammation within the first 6 months after cataract surgery. We also evaluated the effect of triamcinolone acetonide injection into the anterior chamber on the recurrence of inflammation and postoperative complications.
Results :
The mean age at cataract surgery of the 42 (50%) males and 42 (50%) females was 39.0 years (range 7 to 68 years). The total follow-up time was 52.6± 41.8 months (9-224 months). At the final visit, BCVA was statistically significantly different (p<0.001) and was 20/40 or better in 68 (62.3%) eyes while 79 (72.4%) eyes gained ≥ 2 Snellen lines. During the follow-up, posterior capsule opacification occurred in 48 (44.0%), deposits on the IOL surface in 19 (17.4%), posterior synechiae in 2 (1.8%), epiretinal membrane in 4 (3.6%), glaucoma in 7 (6.4%), and macular edema in 5 (4.5%) patients. Patients with serpiginous choroidopathy and Behcet’s disease had significantly worse visual acuity than with other clinical etiologies. Recurrence of uveitis within 6 months after cataract surgery occurred in 15 (13.7%) eyes. Recurrence was most common in patients with Behcet’s disease. Pre-existing macular lesions were accompanied by poor visual outcomes. There was no difference between the eyes administered triamcinolone into the anterior chamber or not regarding the frequency of attacks within the first 6 months or the postoperative complications.
Conclusions :
Cataract surgery outcomes in patients with uveitis are satisfactory. However, patients with Behcet’s disease have higher risk for relapse of intraocular inflammation and worse visual outcomes.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.