title: Combined phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy for macular hole treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the outcome of simultaneous phacoemulsification, pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in eyes with macular hole.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was conducted in 38 eyes (36 patients) after combined phacoemulsification, insertion of a posterior capsule IOL and pars plana vitrectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The macular hole was successfully closed in 32 of the 38 eyes (84%). In six eyes (16%) the hole failed to close and one eye underwent a second operation. Vision improved by two or more Snellen lines in 29 eyes (73%), there was no change in seven eyes (18%), and visual acuity decreased in two eyes (5%). Intraoperative and postoperative complications included retinal tears in nine eyes (24%), posterior capsule rupture in two eyes (5%), transient postoperative increase of intraocular pressure in eight eyes (21%), and posterior capsule opacification in five eyes (13%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combining phacoemulsification, IOL insertion and pars plana vitrectomy for macular hole repair can reduce the need for cataract surgery in the future, decrease costs, shorten postoperative recovery time and allow for clearer intraoperative visualization, making the procedure safer and more effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. ioannistheocharis@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ioannis P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Theocharis
authors.forename: Anastassia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alexandridou
authors.forename: Nasser Jadidi
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Gili
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tomic
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods*