Long-term follow-up of anterior uveitis after cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with anterior uveitis interfere with the natural course of the ocular disease.


METHODS
Tertiary care center at the University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy.


METHODS
Cataract extraction and IOL implantation were performed in 24 patients with uveitis-related cataract: 12 with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis (Group 1) and 12 with other types of anterior uveitis (Group 2). The mean follow-up in the 2 groups was 33.6 months and 24.8 months, respectively. The number and severity (inflammatory score) of uveitis relapses in all patients over the same period were recorded.


RESULTS
After surgery, the mean number and severity of uveitis relapses decreased: Group 1, from 1.83 +/- 1.90 (SD) to 1.00 +/- 1.21 and from 1.08 +/- 0.90 to 0.92 +/- 0.67, respectively; Group 2, from 2.74 +/- 3.44 to 1.25 +/- 1.71 and from 1.83 +/- 1.10 to 1.25 +/- 0.75, respectively (P = .046). There were no statistically significant between-group differences. In Group 2, a trend toward worse visual rehabilitation was seen; this was significantly different from the result in Group 1 (P = .018) because of preoperative optic nerve damage, macula disease, or both.


CONCLUSIONS
Cataract surgery and IOL implantation did not negatively influence the natural course of uveitis in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis. Correct surgical timing, selection of cases, and adequate anti-inflammatory therapy may promote similar results in patients with other types of anterior uveitis.
Pivetti-Pezzi
P
P
Servicio Speciale di Immunovirologia Oculare, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Accorinti
M
M
La Cava
M
M
Abdulaziz
M A
MA
Pantaleoni
F B
FB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000503:physiopathology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids