Dislocated nuclear fragments after cataract surgery.
Posterior nuclear dislocation is a serious complication of cataract surgery, especially when using the phacoemulsification technique. So far, there have been only a few reports concerning the indications and timing of vitrectomy with nuclear removal as well as long-term visual outcome of these eyes. We analysed 23 consecutive patients (follow-up at least 3 months) with intravitreal nuclear remnants after cataract surgery treated with vitrectomy and removal of posteriorly dislocated nuclei. All the eyes had increased intraocular pressure pre-vitrectomy, 63% had corneal oedema, 67% marked uveitis and 26% either retinal tear or detachment. Vitrectomy was performed within 1 week in 70% of eyes. In 14 eyes (61%) the final visual acuity was 20/40 or more. The main reason for poor visual outcome was retinal detachment (9%). These results indicate that with vitrectomy and removal of the nucleus good visual results can be achieved in a large proportion of eyes with posterior dislocation of nuclear remnants.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007907:Lens Nucleus, Crystalline; D007906:Lens Subluxation / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014605:Uveitis / Q000150:complications; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy