Pseudoexfoliation: High risk factors for zonule weakness and concurrent vitrectomy during phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To assess the frequency and results of cataract surgery with concurrent vitrectomy due to zonule weakness in eyes with pseudoexfoliation (PXF).

SETTING

Private practice, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

METHODS

This retrospective nonrandomized study assessed consecutive eyes with PXF having cataract surgery. High risk was defined as preoperative phacodonesis, iridodonesis, or lens subluxation (subgroup 1); preoperative anterior chamber depth or angle-depth asymmetry between eyes confirmed by slitlamp biomicroscopy or gonioscopy, respectively (subgroup 2); or complicated cataract extraction related to zonule weakness in the fellow eye (subgroup 3). Exclusion criteria were previous vitrectomy, scleral buckle, or trabeculectomy surgery and combined cataract-glaucoma surgery. A comparative analysis of outcome parameters was performed.

RESULTS

Of the 1059 eyes evaluated, 38 had vitrectomy. Concurrent vitrectomy was required in 19 (15.6%) of 122 high-risk eyes and 19 (2.0%) of 937 non-high-risk eyes (P<.00001). The need for concurrent vitrectomy was greatest in subgroup 3 (72.7%) and subgroup 1 (42.9%). There was no statistically significant difference between the vitrectomy group and the no-vitrectomy group in the mean improvement in logMAR corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (P = .38) or mean change in intraocular pressure (IOP) (mean decrease 2.6 mm Hg +/- 1.5 [SD] and 1.6 +/- 0.5 mm Hg, respectively) (P = .47).

CONCLUSION

Despite the need for vitrectomy and the attendant increased demands in postoperative care, both the vitrectomy group and no-vitrectomy group had improved logMAR CDVA and IOP.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.