title: Treatment of dystrophic calcification on a silicone intraocular lens with pars plana vitrectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dense, vision-obscuring calcification on the posterior aspect of silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) is often not amenable to neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet capsulotomy, and, in prior reports, has required IOL exchange. We report the successful removal of dense calcium deposition on the posterior surface of a three-piece silicone lens using pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).
  
  
  METHODS
  A 23-gauge PPV was performed using the Stellaris(®) vitrectomy system. A light pipe was used to retroilluminate the IOL, and a dense fibrous tissue setting with a low cut-rate and high aspiration rate was able to clear the visual axis of the dystrophic calcification without damaging the IOL optic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Visual acuity improved from 20/100 to 20/25.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Small-gauge PPV may be utilized to remove dense dystrophic calcium deposits on the lens surface in lieu of IOL exchange.
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Nitish
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Department of Retina, Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Roger A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Retina, Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Chirag P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Shah
keywords: IOL exchange; Nd:YAG capsulotomy; cataract surgery; technique