Visual outcome of pars plana vitrectomy for dropped nucleus after phacoemulsification.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the visual outcome of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for dropped nucleus after phacoemulsification.


METHODS
Interventional case series.


METHODS
LRBT Free Base Eye Hospital, Karachi, from February 2008 to January 2011.


METHODS
Forty-eight eyes of forty eight patients having history of dropped nucleus (soft remnant, half nucleus or complete nucleus) underwent 20 gauge pars plana vitrectomy within 24 days of phacoemulsification. After complete vitrectomy nucleus was lifted with the help of perfluorocarbon and removed either through a limbal incision or by using phacofragmenter, whereas small lens remnants were removed with a vitreous cutter. Intraocular lens was implanted at the end of surgery. Postoperative visual acuity, and any complications were assessed. Patients were followed for a period of 12 months.


RESULTS
Final visual acuity ranged from 6/9 to 6/18 in 34 eyes (70.83%), 6/24 to 6/36 in 8 eyes (16.66%) and 6/60 or less in 6 of 48 eyes (12.5%). Complications included raised intraocular pressure in 6 eyes (12.5%) and retinal detachment in 2 eyes (4.1%), corneal oedema and decompensation in 3 eyes (6.25%) and cystoids macular oedema in 4 cases (8.33%) out of 48 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The loss of crystalline lens in the vitreous during phacoemulsification is a severe complication, but appropriate and timely management can restore good visual outcome and minimize complications.
Department of Ophthalmology, LRBT Free Base Eye Hospital, Karachi. drshakirzafar@yahoo.com
Shakir
S
Zafar
Zeeshan
Z
Kamil
Syeda Aisha
SA
Bokhari
Munira
M
Shakir
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007907:Lens Nucleus, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery*; D007906:Lens Subluxation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods*