Combined pars plana vitrectomy and cataract surgery: outcome of phacoemulsification versus manual extracapsular cataract extraction through a sclerocorneal tunnel.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To compare the results of combined pars plana vitrectomy and cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation by phacoemulsification versus manual extracapsular cataract extraction through a sclerocorneal tunnel.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent combined pars plana vitrectomy with intraocular lens implantation and phacoemulsification or extracapsular cataract extraction through a sclerocorneal tunnel between March 1992 and July 2002.

RESULTS

Fifty-four eyes of 51 patients were evaluated. Mean age was 69.68 +/- 9.11 years, and mean follow-up was 9 months. Phacoemulsification was performed in 35 cases (64%) and manual extraction in 19 cases (36%). Visual acuity improved from mean logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution 1.69 +/- 0.54 before surgery to 1.22 +/- 0.76 after surgery. There was a greater improvement of visual acuity in the phacoemulsification group (0.59 +/- 0.67) than in the extracapsular cataract extraction group (0.22 +/- 0.68) (P = .06). Final visual acuity was correlated to the vitreoretinal pathology. Ultrasound biomicroscopy showed well-positioned foldable or rigid intraocular lens in the bag or in the sulcus.

CONCLUSION

Combined cataract extraction by phacoemulsification or extracapsular cataract extraction through sclerocorneal tunnel and pars plana vitrectomy are safe and effective procedures.