Abstract
Purpose :
Post-operative complications of cataract surgery vary in timing and severity. Persistent inflammation after cataract surgery is a complication that has been reported in 0.24% to 7.3% of cases. We performed a retrospective chart review to study the incidence and risk factors for persistent inflammation after complex cataract surgery.
Methods :
A retrospective chart review and univariate logistic regression analysis of patients who underwent complex cataract surgery by seven providers at Montefiore Medical Center in 2016. Cases of combined surgical procedures and patients with previous history of intraocular inflammation were excluded from the study. Complex cataract surgery cases were identified using Medicare billing code 66982, and cases of persistent inflammation were defined as persistent or recurrent inflammation 30 days or more after surgery resulting in prolonged steroid therapy.
Results :
Persistent inflammation after complex cataract surgery was seen in 9 out of 156 cases (5.7%) irrespective of gender, age, ethnicity, or intraoperative use of iris retention devices. Chronicity of inflammation ranged from 1 to 11 months. Persistent inflammation was not predicted by use of iris retention devices; and it was best predicted by use of prostaglandin analogue at the time of surgery (OR=6.18;p=0.019).
Conclusions :
The incidence of post-operative persistent inflammation in our study was within the range previously cited in the literature. Based on our chart review, use of iris retention devices was not associated with an increased risk for persistent inflammation, and use of prostaglandin analogues was the only risk factor predictive of persistent inflammation. Our study was limited by its retrospective nature and small sample size. Future studies are needed to better understand these risk factors and encourage management changes to decrease the incidence of persistent inflammation after cataract surgery.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.