Vitrectomy for retained lens fragments in the vitreous after phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To assess the visual results, retinal detachment (RD) rate, incidence of glaucoma, and intraocular lens (IOL) placement after vitrectomy for removal of retained lens fragments in the vitreous after phacoemulsification.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Lund, Lund, Sweden.

METHODS

This retrospective noncomparative interventional case series included all cases of pars plana vitrectomy for removal of retained lens fragments from January 1997 through January 2000.

RESULTS

Sixty-six eyes of 65 patients had pars plana vitrectomy with removal of the lens material over the 3-year period. Visual acuity on presentation was 0.1 or worse in 36 eyes (54%). Visual acuity after vitrectomy was 0.5 or better in 35 eyes (53%). The postoperative visual acuity was worse than 0.1 in 14 eyes (21%). Twenty-seven (56%) of the 48 eyes operated on within 1 week and 8 (44%) of the 18 eyes operated on later achieved a visual acuity of 0.5 or better. Twelve eyes (80%) that had secondary posterior chamber IOL implantation achieved an acuity of 0.5 or better. An RD occurred in 7 eyes (11%).

CONCLUSIONS

There was no statistically significant difference in outcomes between those having vitrectomy the first few days after cataract surgery and those having it later, although there was a trend toward better results when the vitrectomy was done sooner. Secondary IOL implantation resulted in a good visual outcome. Retinal detachment was the most severe complication.