Disease recurrence may affect cataract surgery outcomes in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada patients

Br J Ophthalmol. 2011;95(11):1542-1546.

Patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease can experience positive outcomes from cataract surgery, but there is a risk of disease recurrence, according to a study.

The retrospective analysis examined 105 Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada patients, 28 of whom had cataract surgery on 50 eyes.

At 3 months postop, 41 eyes improved by at least two Snellen lines. Visual acuity stabilized in 43 eyes by 6 months postop; there was no difference in best corrected visual acuity between 6 months and 12 months postop.

BCVA improved by two or more Snellen lines in six eyes between 6 months and 12 months postop, while one eye experienced a reduction of two or more Snellen lines in that period.

The study also found 21 eyes experienced postop recurrences.

"Cataract surgery in [Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada] eyes was safe and resulted in improved [visual acuity] in 80% of eyes," the study authors wrote. "The main risk factor for poor outcome following cataract surgery was disease recurrence. Pre-existing posterior pole abnormalities also limited the visual improvement that could be achieved."

The study was limited by small sample size, lack of a control group, its retrospective nature and non-standardized treatment protocols, the authors said.