Clinical Results of Combined Surgery : Pars Plana Vitrectomy, Phacoemulsification and Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens Implantation

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications of combined phacoemulsification and vitrectomy surgery in patients who have vitreoretinal diseases with a concomitant cataract. Methods : Combined phacoemulsification-vitrectomy surgery was performed in 50 eyes of 45 patients who had various vitreoretinal diseases and a significant cataract that is considered to disturb the postoperative visual rehabilitation or fundus examination. Main outcome measures were visual acuity and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results: We performed combined surgery consisting of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), phacoemulsification, and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) implantation. Intraocular lens were inserted in the bag with one case of exception inserted in the ciliary sulcus. Thirty-seven eyes (74%) had improved postoperative visual acuity, in 9 eyes (18%) the acuity was unchanged and 4 eyes (8%) it deteriorated. Intraocular pressure elevation, recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, macular edema, retinal detachment and endophthalmitis were considered to be clinically significant postoperative complications. Conclusions : The results of this study suggest that combined phacoemulsification-vitrectomy surgery is a viable option in the management of most posterior segment diseases in the presence of cataract.