Anterior segment complications after phacovitrectomy in diabetic and nondiabetic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate early and late postoperative anterior segment complications of phacovitrectomy and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in eyes with cataract and coexisting vitreoretinal disease in diabetic and nondiabetic patients.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Baskent University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.


METHODS
The records of 189 consecutive patients with cataract and posterior segment pathology necessitating phacovitrectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Patient profile, indications for surgery, preoperative findings, intraoperative and postoperative course, and postoperative outcome were evaluated. Phacoemulsification was performed through a clear corneal incision with IOL implantation prior to 23-G pars plana vitrectomy.


RESULTS
There were 97 (51.3%) diabetic and 92 (48.6%) nondiabetic patients. The most common indications for surgery were vitreous hemorrhage (57; 58.7%), tractional detachment (35; 36%), and premacular hemorrhage (5; 5.1%) in diabetic patients, and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (40; 43.4%), macular hole (22; 23.9%), epiretinal membrane (20; 21.7%), and vitreomacular traction (10; 10.8%) in nondiabetic patients. Early (within 4 weeks) postoperative complications included elevation of intraocular pressure, fibrinous uveitis, corneal edema, and development of posterior synechia. Long-term (after 4 weeks) complications included migration of silicone oil into the anterior chamber, posterior capsule opacification, and decentered IOL. The ratio of fibrinous uveitis, posterior synechia, and posterior capsule opacification was found higher in the diabetic group (all p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Combined vitreoretinal surgery and phacoemulsification is safe and effective in treating vitreoretinal abnormalities coexisting with cataract in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Diabetic patients should be monitored more carefully for fibrinous uveitis and posterior synechia in the early postoperative period and for posterior capsular opacification in the late postoperative period.
Department of Ophthalmology, Baskent University, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. dreyaman@hotmail.com
Eylem Yaman
EY
Pinarci
Sezin Akca
SA
Bayar
Selcuk
S
Sizmaz
Nilufer
N
Yesilirmak
Imren
I
Akkoyun
Gursel
G
Yilmaz
D000368:Aged; D000869:Anterior Eye Segment; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D058450:Endotamponade; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014821:Vitrectomy; D057586:Vitreoretinal Surgery; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000473:pathology