Combined phaco-emulsification cataract extraction and pars plans vitrectomy without intra-ocular lens implantation

Purpose: To report the indications, surgical technique and visual outcome o f combined phaco-emulsification cataract surgery and three-port pars plana vitrectomy (CPPV) in patients unsuitable for primary intra-ocular lens (IOL ) implantation. Method: A 4-year review in a tertiary referral hospital. Re sults: Thirty patients (30 eyes) had CPPV without primary IOL insertion. Th e patients had a mean pre-operative logMAR acuity of 1.81 (SD 0.49) which i mproved to 1.50 (SD 0.72) postoperatively (p = 0.036), Conclusion: CPPV wit h primary IOL insertion is now an established surgical technique. This seri es suggests that patients with contra-indications to primary IOL insertion may also benefit from CPPV. Copyright (C) 2001 S.KargerAG, Basel.