A retrospective study of patients with retained nuclear fragments after cataract extraction

Abstract

Purpose: A registration and follow-up of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy after dislocated nuclear fragments to the vitreous following cataract extraction.

Material and methods: A retrospective study of 125 patients referred to The National Hospital during the years 1991 to 1998. Phacoemulsification and extracapsular technique were used in 115 eyes and 10 eyes, respectively. A pars plana vitrectomy was performed within an average of 13 days (1-99 days) after cataract extraction. Average follow-up period was 9 months (0.5-35 months).

Results: The visual acuity at follow-up was > or = 0.5 in 67 eyes (55.4%), <0.5->0.1 in 32 eyes (26.4%), and < or = 0.1 in 22 eyes (18.2%). The total number of retinal detachments was 26 (21.5%).

Conclusion: Retained nuclear fragments in the vitreous is a serious complication and most eyes achieve acceptable visual results.