Excellent short-term visual results after cataract surgery in anterior uveitis patients

This prospective case series found excellent short-term visual results after phacoemulsification and posterior chamber IOL implantation with a relatively low complication rate in eyes with anterior uveitis and cataract. The study included 48 consecutive patients with a mean age of 44.9 ± 15.6 years treated at a hospital in Turkey and followed for six months after surgery. Patients were given intravenous prednisolone 1 mg/kg during surgery and subconjunctival dexamethasone 4 mg at the end of surgery.

At the final visit, CDVA was 20/40 or better in 94.5 percent of eyes and 20/20 in 60 percent. CDVA was worse than 20/40 in three eyes because of preoperative anterior and posterior segment abnormalities.

Postoperative complications included CME, recurrent uveitis, and posterior capsule opacity in seven eyes (12.7 percent) each; fibrinous anterior chamber reaction in six eyes (10.9 percent); raised IOP in four eyes (7.3 percent); peripheral anterior synechiae in one eye (1.8 percent); and hypotony in one eye (1.8 percent).

The authors say that the low rate of CME in the study can be explained by good control of inflammation, no posterior capsule rupture during surgery and inclusion of cases of anterior uveitis only.

They conclude that complete cortical cleanup, no posterior capsule rupture, good control of inflammation, close patient follow-up, and early diagnosis and treatment of complications are major factors for successful surgical results in these patients.