Posterior assisted levitation: long-term follow-up data.
OBJECTIVE
To report the long-term outcome of posterior assisted levitation (PAL) in cases of a sinking dropped nucleus.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.


METHODS
The medical records of all the patients having cataract surgery at Soroka University Medical Center from January 1999 to December 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. The PAL technique was used in 7 eyes, 3 of which had mini-nuc cataract surgery and 4 of which had phacoemulsification. Posterior assisted levitation was done because of an intraoperative posterior capsule tear with vitreous loss and a sinking dropped nucleus. A spatula was inserted via the pars plana, and the nucleus was lifted to and removed from the anterior chamber.


RESULTS
The follow-up ranged from 16 to 28 months. The postoperative visual acuity was 20/40 or better in all but 2 eyes, which had 20/50 acuity because of age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema, respectively. No postoperative complications were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The PAL technique was successfully performed during cataract surgery in 7 eyes with a posterior capsule tear, vitreous loss, and a sinking dropped nucleus. There were no complications over the long-term follow-up.
Lifshitz
Tova
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Levy
Jaime
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000293:injuries*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007906:Lens Subluxation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy