A retrospective study of patients with retained nuclear fragments after cataract extraction.
OBJECTIVE
A registration and follow-up of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy after dislocated nuclear fragments to the vitreous following cataract extraction.


METHODS
A retrospective study of 125 patients referred to The National Hospital during the years 1991 to 1998. Phacoemulsification and extracapsular technique were used in 115 eyes and 10 eyes, respectively. A pars plana vitrectomy was performed within an average of 13 days (1-99 days) after cataract extraction. Average follow-up period was 9 months (0.5-35 months).


RESULTS
The visual acuity at follow-up was > or = 0.5 in 67 eyes (55.4%), <0.5->0.1 in 32 eyes (26.4%), and < or = 0.1 in 22 eyes (18.2%). The total number of retinal detachments was 26 (21.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Retained nuclear fragments in the vitreous is a serious complication and most eyes achieve acceptable visual results.
Olsson
R B
RB
Department of Ophthalmology, Central Hospital of Buskerud, Drammen, Norway. roennaugbrandser@hotmail.com
Ritland
J S
JS
Bjørnsson
O M
OM
Syrdalen
P
P
Eide
N
N
Overgård
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007907:Lens Nucleus, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D007906:Lens Subluxation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy