Efficacy and safety of primary posterior capsulotomy in combined phaco-vitrectomy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of posterior capsulotomy by analyzing the long-term visual outcomes in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD), who underwent combined phaco-vitrectomy with or without primary posterior capsulotomy. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal cohort analysis was performed by using data of rhegmatogenous RD patients undergoing combined phaco-vitrectomy. Patients were divided into two groups; Group A (68 eyes of 68 patients) with capsulotomy, and Group B (39 eyes of 39 patients) without capsulotomy. We reviewed the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), incidence of posterior capsule opacification (PCO), clinical features at the diagnosis of rhegmatogenous RD, and intraoperative or postoperative complications following posterior capsulotomy. RESULTS: The modified BCVA measured by the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution at initial diagnosis and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery was 0.67 in Group A versus 0.85 in Group B (p = 0.258), 0.40 in Group A versus 0.50 in Group B (p = 0.309), 0.27 in Group A versus 0.45 in Group B (p = 0.055), and 0.21 in Group A versus 0.47 in Group B (p = 0.014), respectively. In subgroup with macula-on RRD, Group A exhibited better visual outcomes compared to Group B at 6(0.17 versus 0.40 [p = 0.037]) and at 12 months(0.14 versus 0.39 [p = 0.030]). The incidence of PCO in Group B was higher than Group A(28.2% versus 4.4% (p < 0.001)). There were no complications associated with posterior capsulotomy. CONCLUSIONS: A primary posterior capsulotomy during combined phaco-vitrectomy using a 23-gauge vitreous cutter was a safe and effective surgical procedure in patients with RRD patients for preventing postoperative intraocular lens-related PCO.