Visual and Anatomical Outcomes of Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Dropped Nucleus

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the visual and anatomical outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in patients with dropped nucleus following complicated phacoemulsification (PE). Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Ophthalmology Department of Lahore General Hospital, Lahore between 2017 and 2022. The study included 51 patients (33 males and 18 females) between the age 35 to 85 years who were referred after a complicated phacoemulsification with dropped nucleus. Results: This study included 51 patients in which 33 were males (64.71%) and 18 were females (35.29%). All patients underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy. Posterior chamber phacofragmentation was carried out in 32 (62.75%) eyes while in remaining 19 (37.25%) patients vitrectomy cutter was used for the dropped nucleus. Out of 51, 06 (11.76%) patients received an anterior chamber IOL at the time of cataract surgery, 21 (41.18%) eyes had IOL in the ciliary sulcus, 07 (13.73%) had a posterior chamber IOL, and the remaining 17 (33.33%) patients were aphakic. Of these 17 aphakic patients, an anterior chamber IOL was placed at the time of vitrectomy in 07 (41.18%) patients who were judged to have inadequate capsular support for a posterior chamber lens. In the remaining 10 (58.82%) eyes, where capsular support was deemed adequate, a posterior chamber IOL was inserted. Final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 34 (66.67%) eyes and 20/50 in 06 (11.76%) patients. Conclusion: Poor visual outcome after dropped nucleus at phacoemulsification cataract extraction can be avoided if managed by prompt pars plana vitrectomy as it offers the advantages of a closed system for vitrectomy and manipulation of the nucleus, an improved view of the posterior segment and facilitated recognition and management of intraoperative complications with better visual and anatomical outcomes with low rate of postoperative complications.