The effect of pars plana vitrectomy in the management of fuchs heterochromic cyclitis

Purpose: Fuchs heterochromic cyclitis (FHC) is characterized by a unilatera l chronic iridocyclitis of insidious onset and uncertain cause. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of vitreous surgery in patients with FHC and clinic ally significant visual symptoms caused by inflammatory vitreous debris. Methods: This study was a review of 12 eyes of 12 consecutive patients with FHC who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for visually significant vitreous opacities. Cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation had been performed on four eyes preoperatively. Four eyes had a concomitant le nsectomy for cataracts, and one had a surgical posterior capsulotomy. Visua l and anatomic data were recorded before surgery and for at least 6 months after surgery. Results: Visual acuity improved in all patients from an average logMAR of 0 .57 to 0.007 (P = 0.0004) and by more than 2 Snellen lines in 8 of 12 of th e eyes (P < 0.05). Symptoms of floaters resolved in all 11 patients in whom they were a symptom. Vitreous haze was cleared completely from an average Nussenblatt grade of 1.7 to 0 after 1 week (P = 0.0001). Conclusions: Pars plana vitrectomy is a safe and effective treatment for th e visual symptoms associated with FHC and can be combined safely with a len sectomy if required.