Rate of posterior capsular opacification and complications of YAG capsulotomy in patients with uveitis.

PURPOSE: To determine the rate of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and outcomes and complications of YAG capsulotomy after cataract surgery in eyes with uveitis.

SETTING

Tertiary public hospital setting in Auckland, New Zealand, between 2009 and 2023.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational cohort study.

METHODS

Patients who underwent cataract surgery after a diagnosis of uveitis were included. The main outcome measures studied were time from cataract surgery to development of PCO and flare of uveitis after YAG capsulotomy.

RESULTS

In 4430 patients with uveitis, cataract surgery was performed in 596 patients (13.5%, 746 eyes). PCO developed in 250 eyes with a median time to PCO of 77 months. PCO developed in 17.3% (95% CI 14.6%-20.5%) by 1 year, 24.2% (95% CI 21.0%-27.8%) by 2 years, and 33.8% (95% CI 30.3%-37.7%) by 5 years. 120 eyes underwent YAG capsulotomy during the study period. Complications occurred in 19 participants (15.8%) and included uveitis flare (15.0%), cystoid macular edema (3.3%), and retinal detachment (0.8%). On multivariate analysis, younger age was associated with higher risk of uveitis flare (odds ratio [OR] 0.968, P = .038) and 3 months quiescence with lower risk of flare (OR 0.190, P = .004).

CONCLUSIONS

PCO is a common complication after cataract surgery in participants with uveitis, occurring in more than one-third of patients by 5 years. Complications of YAG capsulotomy occur in 15.8% with increased frequency in younger participants and in those with <3 months of uveitis quiescence.