The Complications of Cataract Surgery in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation

Abstract

Abstract The senile cataract represents the blurring of the crystalline lens after the age of 65. It occurs due to metabolic changes in the crystalline lens which occur over the years. The only effective way to treat cataract is the surgical one. Pseudoexfoliation is an age related systemic disorder. PEX represents the accumulation fibrillar material in the extracellular matrix of the tissue. The most known ocular manifestation of the PEX are the collection at iris pupillary margin and anterior lens capsule. This accumulation is associated with many intraoperative and postoperative complications in patients scheduled for cataract surgery. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of the surgical complications during phacoemulsfication in patients with PEX. The study included 91 patients scheduled for cataract surgery divided into two groups (PEX group 46, control group 45 patients). Poor intraoperative midryasis, zonular dehiscence, postoperative corneal edema, anterior chamber inflammation, elevated intraocular pressure and tear film instability had particularly higher rate of occurring in PEX group comparing to the control group (p<0.001). The highest mean value of intraocular pressure was observed in PEX group on the first postoperative day 25.6 ± 1.1 mmHg, while the best corrected visual acuity was measured in control group 0.71 ± 1.2 one month after phacoemulsification. Cataract surgery in patients with PEX carries great risk, but with adequate preoperative planning, the awareness of the potential complications, can provide safe and routine phacoemulification in these patients.