Thrombocytopenia and the risks of intraocular surgery.
OBJECTIVE
In thrombocytopenia, a hemorrhagic diathesis is usually present due to a low platelet count and has been related to the development of cataracts and retinopathy. The concomitant administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can increase the hemorrhagic diathesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of thrombocytopenia during and after intraocular surgery.


METHODS
A retrospective study of medical files of patients who had undergone cataract and glaucoma filtering surgery and were diagnosed as having thrombocytopenia between 1994--1995 and 1998--1999 was conducted. Eight patients with a total of 11 surgical procedures were included in this study.


RESULTS
Hemorrhagic complications occurred in 2 of the 11 procedures, for an incidence of 18%. These 2 cases are described in detail.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study confirms that thrombocytopenia is a significant risk factor for perioperative bleeding in ocular surgery. A routine questionnaire should be completed before ocular surgery and a complete blood cell count obtained in suspect cases. Consultation with a hematologist is warranted in cases of thrombocytopenia.
Papamatheakis
Demosthenes G
DG
Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Centre de Recherche Guy-Bernier, Universite de Montréal, Department of Ophthalmology, Montrèal, Quebec, Canada.
Demers
Pierre
P
Vachon
André
A
Jaimes
Louise Brossard
LB
Lapointe
Yves
Y
Harasymowycz
Paul J
PJ
D000368:Aged; D002386:Cataract / Q000097:blood; D017889:Exfoliation Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D005130:Eye Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D010976:Platelet Count; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014130:Trabeculectomy; D014821:Vitrectomy