Results of combined vitreoretinal surgery and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation

Purpose: To assess the outcome and complications after combined pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in pa tients with concomitant cataract and vitreoretinal abnormalities. Methods: This retrospective study consisted of 113 eyes of 109 patients wit h various vitreoretinal abnormalities and visually significant cataract. Vi treoretinal surgery was combined with clear corneal phacoemulsification and intra-ocular implantation. Results: The combined surgery resulted in minimal complications, and postop erative visual acuity was improved in 83 eyes (71.6%). Visual acuity was im proved by two or more lines in 26 eyes (66.6%) with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 22 eyes (73%) with proliferative vitreoretinopathy, eight eyes (30.7%) with macular abnormalities, four eyes (55.5%) with trauma and two eyes (40%) with retinal vein occlusion. Conclusions: The combined vitreoretinal surgery and phacoemulsification wit h intraocular lens implantation was safe and effective in treating vitreore tinal abnormalities coexisting with cataract. Combined surgery is recommend ed for all patients having simultaneous vitreoretinal pathological changes and cataract. The addition of phacoemulsification does not prolong vitreore tinal operative time notably nor increase the risk of intraoperative and po st-operative complications significantly.