Combined Surgical Approach of Pars Plana Vitrectomy, Phacoemulsification, and Intraocular Lens Implantation for the Management of Cataract and Posterior Segment Pathologies

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the indications, intra- and post-operative complications, and visual results of combined cataract surgery and pars plana vitrectomy. Materials and Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent combined surgery between January 2008 and January 2011 were retrospectively evaluated. Indications for surgery, complications, pre-operative and post-operative visual acuities were recorded. Results: Sixty-four eyes of 64 patients were included in the study. Thirty-five (55%) of the patients were men and 29 (45%) were women; mean age was 53±21 (6-88) years. Mean follow-up time was 13±12 (1-51) months. The main indications for combined surgery were intravitreal hemorrhage in 19 patients (29.7%), epiretinal membrane in 12 (18.8%), intraocular foreign body in 11 (17.2%), retinal detachment in 9 (14.1%), and macular edema in 7 (11%) patients. Posterior capsule rupture in 3 cases and corneal edema in 2 cases were the complications encountered during surgery. Postoperatively, hypotonia occurred in 5 cases and corneal edema in 1. Intraocular pressure elevation was observed in 1 silicon-injected case and 1 propane gas-injected case. The average preoperative visual acuity was 1.90±1.9 (0.22 to 3.10) LogMAR. The average postoperative visual acuity at the last visit was 1.1±1.0 (0.00 to 4.00) LogMAR. The visual acuity increase was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Combined surgery is a feasible option for patients with vitreoretinal diseases and cataract. Visual results and complications depend primarily on the underlying posterior segment pathology. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2014; 44: 98-101)

Keywords

• Phacoemulsification
• combined surgery
• pars plana vitrectomy