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Capsulorrhexis poses challenges in cataract patients younger than 50 years
Cataract surgery in patients under 50 years old is challenging in at least two ways, a prospective study suggests: creating the capsulorrhexis is difficult and posterior capsular opacification is common. The study was conducted by Sheena A. Dholakia, DO, and colleagues at the Iladevi Cataract and IOL Research Centre in Ahmedabad, India.
Dr. Dholakia and colleagues evaluated the intraoperative performance and long-term results of phacoemulsification in a prospective observational study of 54 patients.
The patients, all under age 50, underwent phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. The authors experienced peripheral extension of the capsulorrhexis in almost 10% of cases and intraoperative PCO in more than 25%. Serious complications such as posterior capsule rupture and loss of vitreous were also seen, according to the study.
The researchers evaluated endothelial cell loss, PCO, Nd:YAG rate and best corrected visual acuity. The 14 patients who had intraoperative PCO were evaluated separately.
After 3 years of follow-up, Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was performed in four eyes that experienced intraoperative PCO and five eyes that experienced postoperative PCO.
Posterior capsular rupture with vitreous loss occurred in one patient, according to the study.
During the 3-year follow-up, mean endothelial cell loss was 5.9%.
The study is published in the July issue of the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.