COMBINED PHACOEMULSIFICATION, PARS-PLANA VITRECTOMY, REMOVAL OF INTRAOCULAR FOREIGN-BODY (IOFB), AND PRIMARY INTRAOCULAR-LENS IMPLANTATION FOR PATIENTS WITH IOFB AND TRAUMATIC CATARACT

Purpose and methods Small-incision cataract extraction by phacoemulsif ication through an anterior continuous circular capsulorhexis, pars pl ana vitrectomy, forceps removal of intraocular foreign body (IOFB) and primary intraocular lens implantation were performed in 4 eyes (4 pat ients) with IOFB and traumatic cataract, as an emergency combined proc edure. Results At a mean follow-up of 12.3 months (range 7-19 months) the best corrected visual acuity of the 4 eyes ranged from 6/6 to 6/12 . The only complication encountered in our series was an opacified pos terior capsule that developed 10 months post-operatively in one case. This was easily dealt with by neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy, with go od final visual outcome. Conclusions The results of combined one-stage instead of sequential surgeries, and phacoemulsification instead of l ensectomy or extracapsular cataract extraction for patients with IOFB and cataract are encouraging. It could be a good option in selected ca ses. However, the safety and efficacy of this combined procedure need to be evaluated further by a larger-scale, longer follow-up study.