Cataract extraction in Behçet's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the outcome and complications of cataract extraction in patients with Behçet's disease.


METHODS
Thirty-six Behçet's disease patients underwent cataract surgery without intraocular lens implantation. Twenty-six patients had phacoemulsification or extracapsular cataract extraction, and ten patients had pars plana lensectomy/vitrectomy. The follow-up period ranged from 24 to 84 months (mean, 38 months).


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in the follow-up period of patients who underwent phacoemulsification, extracapsular cataract extraction, or pars plana lensectomy/vitrectomy. Sixteen (62%) of 26 patients who had extracapsular cataract extraction or phacoemulsification had a visual acuity of 20/200 or better compared with none of the 10 patients who had pars plana lensectomy/vitrectomy. Three (30%) of ten eyes which underwent pars plana lensectomy/vitrectomy eventuated in phthisis bulbi while none of the eyes that underwent extracapsular cataract extraction or phacoemulsification developed phthisis bulbi.


CONCLUSIONS
Extracapsular cataract extraction or phacoemulsification had a better visual outcome and fewer postoperative complications than pars plana lensectomy/vitrectomy in patients with Behçet's disease.
Tabbara
K F
KF
Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Chavis
P S
PS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy