Pars plana vitrectomy in the management of retained intravitreal lens fragments after cataract surgery

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the outcome of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for retained lens fragments after cataract surgery.

Methods: A retrospective study of all consecutive cases with pars plana vitrectomy performed for retained lens fragment was conducted. Twenty-seven eyes of 27 patients were included in the study.

Results: Twenty-four (89.9%) eyes received phacoemulsification. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed at the same sitting, or ranged from day 1-70 after cataract surgery. The mean follow up was 31.1 months. Final visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 15 (55.6%) patients. After excluding patients with pre-existing eye diseases, 68.4% of patients had visual acuity 6/12 or better. Complications after pars plana vitrectomy included glaucoma (22.2%), retinal detachment (11.1%) and surgically induced necrotizing scleritis (3.7%).

Conclusion: Ocular complications with poor visual outcome can occur after removal of intravitreal retained lens fragments complicating cataract surgery.