title: Extracapsular cataract extraction in diabetic eyes. The role of YAG laser capsulotomy.
abstract: Cataract surgery may exacerbate preexisting diabetic retinopathy. Especially diabetics with active retinal neovascularisation are at high risk of rubeosis iridis after intracapsular cataract extraction. Thirty-five eyes previously treated with panretinal photocoagulation underwent extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation. Twenty-eight eyes with retinal neovascularisation required further Argon laser PRP after surgery. Fourteen eyes required YAG-laser capsulotomy. From the group of eyes without YAG-laser capsulotomy none developed neovascular glaucoma. From the YAG laser capsulotomy group six eyes developed rubeosis iridis and neovascular glaucoma. Our results indicate that eyes in which PRP has been performed, have an excellent prognosis after ECCE with posterior chamber lens implantation only if YAG Laser posterior capsulotomy is not performed.
authors.affiliation: Athens University Eye Clinic, Greece.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tsopelas
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kokolakis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Droutsas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Theodossiadis
mesh_terms: D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery*; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies