Purpose To investigate the safety and efficacy of phacoemulsification with
intraocular lens implantation in eyes affected by uveitis.
Methods A retrospective case series is presented including casenote review
and update patient examinations. Patient data were withdrawn from the Uveit
is Clinic database. All uveitis patients undergoing phacoemulsification wit
h intraocular lens implantation from August 1995 to November 2000 were incl
uded. A pre-operative preparation protocol was used. Operative and post-ope
rative complications, degree of postoperative inflammation, best-corrected
and final visual acuity were the main outcome measures.
Results Eighty-six eyes of 75 patients underwent surgery, which in 11 cases
was combined with trabeculectomy. Mean followup was 24.1 months. Eight eye
s (10%) had severe or fibrinous uveitis post-operatively. The mean delay be
tween surgery and return to baseline treatment was 8.6 weeks. Posterior cap
sule opacification occurred in 42% of eyes and Nd-YAG capsulotomy was requi
red in 21%. Cystoid macular oedema was seen in 2 eyes. Seventy-two per cent
of eyes retain a visual acuity of 6/9 or better, and 87% of eyes retain a
post-operative improvement of 2 or more lines of Snellen acuity.
Conclusions With careful patient selection, appropriate pre-operative prepa
ration, diligent surgery and close post-operative supervision, phacoemulsif
ication with intraocular lens implantation is safe and effective in the gre
at majority of eyes with uveitis.