title: Phacoemulsification, vitrectomy and the implantation of an intraocular lens in diabetic patients.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate results of combined phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation and pars plana vitrectomy in patients with advanced diabetic retinopathy. We retrospectively evaluated postoperative outcomes and complications in 102 eyes of 102 patients who underwent a combined procedure. All patients had a visually significant cataract. Forty two patients had vitreous hemorrhage and mild proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Sixty patients had a mild tractional retinal detachment. The median follow up was 14 months (range 6-36 months). 80% of patients had an increase of visual acuity of at least 2 Snellen lines. The most frequent early postoperative complication was elevated intraocular pressure, followed by mild fibrinous reaction. The most frequent late postoperative complication was the presence of posterior synechia, followed by glaucoma. Eleven patients required a repeated pars plana vitrectomy. Combined phacoemulsification, posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation and pars plana vitrectomy can be successfully performed in selected diabetic patients with favorable postoperative outcome.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Ophthalmology, Clinical Hospital, Systers of Mercy, Zagreb, Croatia. zvatavuk@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vatavuk
authors.forename: Goran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bencić
authors.forename: Valentina Lacmanović
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Loncar
authors.forename: Ivanka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Petric
authors.forename: Zdravko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mandić
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy