DISLOCATED NUCLEAR FRAGMENTS AFTER CATARACT-SURGERY

Posterior nuclear dislocation is a serious complication of cataract su rgery, especially when using the phaco-emulsification technique, So fa r, there have been only a few reports concerning the indications and t iming of vitrectomy with nuclear removal as well as long-term visual o utcome of these eyes. We analysed 23 consecutive patients (follow-up a t least 3 months) ,vith intravitreal nuclear remnants after cataract s urgery treated with vitrectomy and removal of posteriorly dislocated n uclei, All the eyes had increased intraocular pressure pre-vitrectomy, 63% had corneal oedema, 67% marked uveitis and 26% either retinal tea r or detachment. Vitrectomy was performed within 1 week in 70% of eyes , In 14 eyes (61%) the final visual acuity was 20/40 or more. The main reason for poor visual outcome was retinal detachment (9%), These res ults indicate that with vitrectomy and removal of the nucleus good vis ual results can be achieved in a large proportion of eyes with posteri or dislocation of nuclear remnants.