Risk Factors Associated with Unexpected Refractive Outcomes in Uveitic Cataract Surgery

Abstract

Objective: Assess refractive outcomes following uveitic cataract surgery and identify factors associated with deviations from the target refractive goal.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective chart review was performed for 216 subjects with uveitis undergoing cataract surgery. Prediction error was calculated and tested for association with demographic and clinical characteristics using single variable and multiple regression analysis.

Results: 39.8% of eyes deviated from the intended refractive target by at least 0.5 diopters (D). The mean prediction error was 0.56 ± 0.67 D. Younger age (p = 0.042), preoperative inflammatory corneal findings (keratic precipitates and/or band keratopathy) (p = 0.0004), and poorer postoperative visual acuity (p = 0.0054) were associated with a deviation from the intended refractive target by at least 1 D.

Conclusions: A higher percentage of eyes undergoing uveitic cataract surgery deviated from the intended refractive target when compared to reported refractive outcomes in normal subjects. Younger age, preoperative inflammatory corneal sequelae, and poorer postoperative visual acuity were associated with this outcome.

Keywords: Cataract surgery; prediction error; refractive outcomes; uveitic; uveitis.

Figure 1.

A) Difference in postoperative refraction, as a spherical equivalent, from the intended refractive goal in diopters (D). B) Cumulative histogram of pre and postoperative Snellen corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA).