Clinical Complications of Combined Phacoemulsification and Vitrectomy for Eyes with Coexisting Cataract and Vitreoretinal Diseases

PURPOSE: To discuss the intraoperative and postoperative complications of combining phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with pars plana vitrectomy in eyes with significant cataract and coexisting vitreoretinal diseases. METHODS: This retrospective study consisted of 186 eyes of 149 patients with various vitreoretinal abnormalities and visually significant cataracts. Vitreoretinal surgery was combined with clear corneal phacoemulsification and foldable IOL implantation. Main outcome measures were the intraoperative and postoperative complications at from 6 to 56 months. RESULTS: The most common intraoperative complication was iatrogenic retinal hole (5.3%), transient corneal edema (3.2%), and posterior capsule break (2.1%). The most common postoperative complication was posterior capsule opacification (21.5%) and elevated intraocular pressure (9.7%), macular edema (8.1%), fibrinous reaction (6.9%), vitreous hemorrhage (3.7%), posterior synechiae (3.7%), and recurrent retinal detachment (3.2%). Postoperatively, in 162 eyes (87.1%), visual acuity improved by 3 lines or more on the Snellen chart. In 14 eyes (7.5%), vision remained within 3 lines of preoperative levels and in 10 eyes (5.3%), vision had decreased at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications did not increase significantly in the combined phacoemulsification and vitreoretinal surgery. Combined vitreoretinal surgery and phacoemulsification with foldable IOL implantation is safe and effective in treating vitreoretinal abnormalities coexisting with cataract. Based on extensive experience with the combined procedure, the authors suggest that combined surgery is recommended in select patients having simultaneous vitreoretinal pathologic changes and cataract.