Evaluation of results of combined pars plana vitrectomy and cataract removal

PURPOSE: Cataract often coexists with pathologies of the vitreous body. Moreover, after several months after vitrectomy, the lens becomes opaque. Lens opacities interfere with appropriate visualisation of the vitreous chamber and the eye fundus, which makes performing vitreoretinal procedures difficult. For this reason, in such patients, a combined procedure of pars plana vitrectomy and cataract extraction can be considered. This is retrospective analysis of the indications and results of combined cataract extraction and pars plana vitrectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were based on case histories of patients who underwent combined cataract extraction and pars plana vitrectomy in the years 2001 - 2003, in the Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lodź. The evaluated data included: diagnosis, pre- and postoperative best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, pre- and postoperative state of the anterior and posterior segment of the eye and the employed surgical techniques. RESULTS: The examined group consisted of 40 patients (40 eyes), including 20 men and 20 women, at the age from 13 to 76 years old (mean 55.7, SD+/-14.6). The indications to vitrectomy were: vitreous haemorrhage, retinal detachment, vitreoretinal proliferations, intraocular foreign body, persistent hyaloid artery and endophthalmitis. Phacoemulsification was the most often used method of cataract extraction (34 people, 85%). In three patients cataract was removed by classical extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), and in further 3 patients bimanual aspiration was used. In terms of anatomical results, therapeutic success was achieved in 35 cases (87,5%). Improvement of visual acuity was observed in 28 people (70%), unchanged visual acuity in 10 people (25%), and a decrease in visual acuity in 2 patients (5%). Improvement of visual acuity at least 2 lines on Snellen's chart was achieved in 20 patients (50%).