Evaluation of cataract surgery in intermediate uveitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The authors analyzed the results of cataract surg ery performed on patients with intermediate uveitis from January 1990 throu gh January 1997. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two eyes of 44 patients with intermediate uvei tis underwent cataract surgery during this period. These patients were eval uated with respect to duration of intermediate uveitis, treatment regimen, intraoperative complications and final visual results. RESULTS: Visual acuity improved following surgery in 94.2% eyes and 71.2% e yes achieved a final visual acuity better than or equal to 20/60. Intraocul ar lens implantation accompanied the surgery in 24 eyes. Regional and syste mic steroids were required for control of inflammation. The factors that li mited visual recovery were severe cystoid macular edema, epiretinal membran e Formation, and secondary retinal detachment. Recurrence of uveitis was no ted in 6 cases. CONCLUSION: Absolute control of inflammation, atraumatic surgery, and regul ar postoperative follow-up can improve the results of cataract extraction. Intraocular lens implantation in selected cases is well tolerated with good visual results.