Indications and clinical outcomes of capsular tension ring implantation in phacoemulsification surgery at a tertiary teaching hospital: A review of 4316 cataract surgeries.

PURPOSE: To reveal the indications, clinical outcomes and complications of capsular tension ring (CTR) implantation in a series of consecutive phacoemulsification surgeries during a three-year interval.

METHODS: A review of all patients undergoing cataract surgery with insertion of a CTR between 2010 and 2013 was conducted at our tertiary teaching ophthalmology department. The demographic details of patients, indications and clinical outcomes of CTR implantation were evaluated.

RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2013, 4316 phacoemulsification surgeries were performed and of these surgeries CTR implantation was done in 41 eyes of 36 patients. The indications of CTR implantation were zonular dehiscence or weakness associated with mature cataract (29.2%), trauma (24.3%), pseudoexfoliation syndrome (19.5%), retinitis pigmentosa (14.6%), degenerative myopia (9.7%), and lens coloboma (2.4%). Posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) was implanted into the capsular bag in all eyes. Dislocation of PCIOL was not observed in any case. Transient IOP increased in 5 eyes (12%) and corneal edema in 14 eyes were noted. Posterior capsular opasification in 1 eye (2.4%), anterior capsule phimosis in 1 eye (2.4%) and cystoid macular edema in 1 eye (2.4%) were detected as late complications.

CONCLUSION: The frequency of CTR implantation was 0.97% due to our study. In complicated cataract surgeries, CTR implantation seems to improve clinical outcomes.