PEX syndrome and intraoperative complications in cataract surgery

Background: Conventional wisdom holds that pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) leads to an increased risk during cataract surgery with regard to zonular dialysis, rupture of the posterior capsule and luxation of the lens into th e vitreous as a consequence of insufficient zonules. The present study is f ocused on the impact of pseudoexfoliation syndrome on the outcome of catara ct surgery. Patients and methods: We included in a prospective study 1210 patients whic h underwent cataract surgery (phacoemulsification) and implantation of a po sterior chamber lens in our department From October 1997 until June 1999. T he course of surgery, relevant associated diagnoses, and intraoperative com plications are described. The patients were divided in a PEX-group and non- PEX-group. Results: There was no difference in the percentage of glaucoma patients bet ween the PEX-group (16,2%) and non-PEX group (17,7%). There were statistica lly significant more women in the PEX-group and the average age was higher. Intraoperative complications, such as rupture of the posterior capsule, zo nular dialysis and displacement of the lens into the vitreous body were sim ilar in the hive groups. Conclusion: This present study shows, that modern cataract surgery makes it possible to achieve good operative results, even in risk patients. Preoper ative presence of PEX had no influence on the complication rate of cataract surgery.