Posterior segment approach effective for posterior polar cataract in study

A posterior segment approach to posterior polar cataract surgery, intended to pre-empt possible uncontrolled posterior capsular rupture, led to good visual outcomes despite some complications, a small study by researchers in England found.

Yajati K. Ghosh, FRCSEd, of the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, and G.R. Kirkby reviewed outcomes of the approach performed in 11 eyes of eight patients. In all cases, surgeons performed pars plana vitrectomy, lensectomy and IOL implantation in the posterior chamber sulcus, according to the study.

Best corrected visual acuity averaged 6/12 preoperatively and improved to 6/6 at 13 months' mean follow-up. Only one major perioperative complication occurred, which was a single case of accidental iridectomy. Postop complications included a single case each of transient choroidal folds, mild posterior segment hemorrhage and retinal detachment, the authors reported.

"This surgical technique offers a relatively controlled and predictable approach to posterior polar cataract surgery compared to others described in the literature," the authors said. "Although this technique is not without complications, the visual outcome is usually good."

The study is published online in the journal Eye.