Cataract in uveitis patients: extracapsular and intraocular posterior implantation results. A retrospective study of 14 eyes

Purpose: Checking visual results and progression after cataract surgery in uveitis patients. Methods: Fourteen eyes of 13 patients were retrospectively studied after ca taract extraction from December 1993 to April 1997. We describe the surgica l procedure followed by the visual a outcome of cataract surgery, complicat ions, and treatment. Results: Specific uveitic syndromes were determined in eight patients. Fuch s. iridocyclitis was the cause in three cases, ankylosing spondylitis in on e case, sarcoidosis in two cases, toxoplasmosis in one case and Birdshot ch orioretinopathy in one case. Phacoemulsification was, performed in 10 eyes and a manual extracapsular procedure in four eyes. Posterior chamber implan tation was performed in 13 cases. Final visual acuity improved in 64% cases , from 1 to 8 fines (average 3.5). Eight eyes had visual acuity worse than 5/10, attributed to posterior segment abnormalities, in particular macular edema, which is the main limiting factor of optimal visual recovery. Capsul ar opacification was the most frequent complication in the anterior segment . Endophthalmitis was described in one patient. Conclusion: Visual results of cataract surgery depend on different uveitic entities and on posterior segment abnormalities. Results are generally succ essful when uveitis is not severe and the posterior segment can be carefull y observed after cataract surgery. Extracapsular cataract extraction and po sterior chamber implantation seem to be well tolerated if inflammation is p erfectly under control before surgery.