Uveal effusion after cataract surgery: An echographic study

Purpose: To determine the incidence of uveal effusion after cataract surger y and to relate its presence to selected preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables. Design: Prospective consecutive observational case series. Participants: Two hundred seven eyes of 205 subjects undergoing cataract su rgery. Methods: Several preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables of potential significance in uveal effusion after cataract surgery were stu died. On the first postoperative day and within 2 weeks after the surgery, subjects were examined clinically and echographically with B-scan for evide nce of suprachoroidal (uveal) effusion. When effusion was present, follow-u p examinations were performed until complete resolution was documented. Main Outcome Measures: Echographic presence of uveal effusion in the postop erative period. Results: Uveal effusion was documented echographically in 12 patients (5.8% ). Only one of these cases was clinically evident. All effusions were small and resolved with no intervention. The presence of postoperative hypotony related to wound leak (intraocular pressure <10 mmHg) was significantly cor related with uveal effusion after cataract surgery (P < 0.0001). The combin ation of oral acetazolamide and topical pilocarpine gel given after the sur gery also correlated with effusion (P < 0.02). Intraoperative complications and prolonged phacoemulsification time were not shown to be risk factors f or effusion. Conclusions: Uveal effusion is rarely seen after modern, small-incision, cl osed-system cataract surgery. It is correlated with postoperative hypotony related to wound leak and with the administration of both oral acetazolamid e and topical pilocarpine after surgery. Ophthalmology 2001;108:100-103 (C) 2001 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.