Abstract
To evaluate the postoperative outcomes in uveitic eyes after phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
Multicenter (19) international study.
This prospective randomized comparative interventional case series comprised 140 eyes of 140 patients who had phacoemulsification and implantation of IOLs of various materials: hydrophobic acrylic (n = 48), silicone (n = 44), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) (n = 26), or heparin-surface-modified PMMA (HSM PMMA) (n = 22). Preoperative and postoperative grading and control of intraocular inflammation were performed. Clinically significant observations, visual outcomes, and the incidence of postoperative complications were recorded.
At the final follow-up, 64 eyes (46.3%) had a best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better, an improvement that was highly significant (
P < .0001). One day after surgery, the acrylic group had the lowest inflammation values and the silicone group the highest (
P = .02). The acrylic group continued to have the lowest inflammation grade values until the 3-month follow-up. The acrylic and HSM PMMA groups had the lowest incidence of relapses. Posterior capsule opacification developed in 48 eyes (34.2%), with the highest incidence in the silicone group.
Phacoemulsification with IOL implantation in selected uveitic eyes was safe and effective. Acrylic IOLs provided a better visual outcome and lower complication rate than IOLs of other materials.