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Posterior vitreous detachment may occur up to 3 years after phacoemulsification
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The risk of posterior vitreous detachment increases progressively for 3 years after phacoemulsification, according to a study.
“Development of [posterior vitreous detachment] seems to accelerate after phacoemulsification and linearly accumulated for 3 years postoperatively,” the study authors said. “Long-term follow-up is needed after phacoemulsification is performed.”
Investigators prospectively evaluated 575 eyes of 419 patients without a history of intraocular inflammation, blunt trauma, ocular surgery or a retinal disease predisposing to posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and fundus changes resulting from high myopia. Median patient age was 68 years.
Patients underwent comprehensive ocular examinations on the day of surgery and at 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, as well as every 6 months thereafter for 3 years.
At baseline, patients were assigned to three groups according to age and four groups based on spherical equivalent refractive error or axial length.
Study results showed PVD development in six eyes at 1 week (1%), 63 eyes at 12 months (11%) and 172 eyes at 36 months (30%) after surgery.
The incidence of PVD was significantly higher at 1 month postop than it was before surgery (P < .001).
Retinal breaks with or without retinal detachment were seen in 11 of the 172 eyes that developed PVD within 36 months (6.4%). No retinal breaks were seen in eyes that did not develop PVD during follow-up.
Peripheral retinal degenerations such as lattice degeneration were found in 52 eyes (9%).
At 12 months, significantly more patients aged 60 years or younger had PVD than those aged 71 to 80 years (P = .019). The age-related difference remained consistent throughout follow-up, the authors said.
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