[Subluxation of the lens: etiology and results of treatment].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the indications for surgery, visual results and postoperative complications of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), in patients with retained lens fragments in the vitreous cavity.

METHODS

86 Eyes from 83 patients who underwent PPV for retained lens fragments at the Hospital Central de Asturias between April 1997 and December 2004 were reviewed. The average age was 68 years (12-90 years). Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, maculopathy and inadequate follow-up examination (less than 3 months) were excluded. The results have been analysed according to the etiology of the subluxation.

RESULTS

The average follow-up time was 32.5 months (6-73 months). The most common cause for subluxation of the lenses was cataract surgery and trauma. In 48.15% an intraocular lens was implanted. The average preoperative visual acuity (VA) was 0.06 (logMAR 1.0) and postoperative VA 0.4 (logMAR 0.4). 61.7% of the eyes had increased preoperative intraocular pressure, whereas only 32 eyes (39.5%) had this postoperatively. The most common intra-operative complications were retinal tears (4) and retinal detachment (1). The most common postoperative complications were retinal detachment (3) and bullous keratopathy (2).

CONCLUSION

PPV is a relatively simple and low risk technique, which allows good visual restoration and minimizes complications of the subluxated lenses.