RETINAL-DETACHMENT AFTER CLEAR LENS EXTRACTION IN 41 EYES WITH HIGH AXIAL MYOPIA

Purpose: Clear lens extraction is a surgical procedure to correct high axial myopia. The authors explain how this technique may lead to seri ous vitreoretinal complications. Methods: The study included 41 eyes o f 39 patients aged 25 to 58 years (mean, 37.5 years) with high axial m yopia (14-29 diopters; mean, 19.5 diopters) operated on for retinal de tachment after clear lens extraction. Retinal detachment occurred 1 mo nth to 4 years after lens extraction, except for two eyes that also ha d intraoperative choroidal hemorrhages. Results: Twenty-six of the 41 eyes had undergone 360 degrees prophylactic retinopexy on pre-equatori al areas; in four eyes, the retinal breaks occurred along the edge of the prior circumferential photocoagulation. Seventeen eyes exhibited p roliferative vitreoretinopathy of various grades. The retina was reatt ached in 36 eyes. Only nine eyes achieved final visual acuity of 20/60 or better. Conclusions: Although the authors do not report the actual incidence of retinal detachment after clear lens extraction, they ind icate that potentially blinding complications can occur after this sur gical procedure, despite prophylactic treatments.