Outcomes of dropped nucleus during phacoemulsification.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical outcome of vitrectomy in the management of dropped nucleus during phacoemulsification.


METHODS
Twenty-five consecutive patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for the management of dropped nucleus from phacoemulsification, over a 36-month period, were studied. Twenty-two patients underwent vitrectomy within 15 days of cataract surgery. Most of the patients were followed for more than 6 months.


RESULTS
Final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 71% (17/24) of eyes and 20/50 in 8% (2/24). Visual acuity was 20/70 or worse in 21% (5/24) of patients. Complications included persistent cystoid macular edema in three eyes, epimacular proliferation in two eyes, and a choroidal detachment in one eye.


CONCLUSIONS
Poor visual outcome after dropped nucleus at phacoemulsification cataract extraction can be avoided if managed by prompt pars plana vitrectomy.
Kapusta
M A
MA
Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Chen
J C
JC
Lam
W C
WC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007907:Lens Nucleus, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007906:Lens Subluxation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy