title: Favourable outcome after cataract surgery with IOL implantation in uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Management of uveitic cataract in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is challenging, and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is controversial. This study investigated the outcome after minimally invasive surgery with IOL implantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis after phacoemulsification with in-the-bag IOL implantation was performed in 16 patients (17 operations) with ANA-positive JIA-associated chronic uveitis. In these patients, 25 G capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy was performed and they received an intravitreal triamcinolone (TA) injection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age at uveitis onset was 5 ± 2 years, and surgery was performed at a mean age of 11 ± 2.2 years. Preoperatively, uveitis was inactive in all patients, and visual acuity was logMAR 0.8 ± 0.44; additional uveitis complications were present in all patients, and 15 patients were receiving systemic immunosuppression/biologicals. After surgery (mean follow-up 26.5 ± 11.7 months), presence of cystoid macular oedema, papilloedema, ocular hypertension/glaucoma and hypotony did not increase compared with baseline. There was no significant worsening of AC inflammation (by cell numbers and laser flare values). IOL deposits persisted in four patients, and synechiae developed in eight. The visual acuity was improved (≥2 lines) in all patients (mean logMAR 0.3 ± 0.24). Retrolental membrane formation was not noted. Secondary capsular opacification was observed in seven patients, requiring Nd:YAG capsulotomy in five of them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phacoemulsification and in-the-bag IOL implantation may improve visual outcome in JIA-associated uveitis with minimally invasive surgical technique and intravitreal TA injection. Well-controlled uveitis with appropriate use of topical steroids and systemic immunosuppression or biologicals appears as a perioperative requirement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Rafael S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Grajewski
authors.forename: Beatrix
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zurek-Imhoff
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roesel
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heinz
authors.forename: Arnd
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heiligenhaus
mesh_terms: D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014605:Uveitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014821:Vitrectomy
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents