Posters

Capsular contraction syndrome following femtosecond assisted cataract surgery in a patient with retinitis pigmentosa

Poster Details

First Author: T.Jenyon UK

Co Author(s):    K. Balaggan                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) are at an increased risk of a number of complications from cataract surgery. These risks include significant anterior capsular phimosis, also known as capsular contraction syndrome (CCS). The theoretical benefits of Femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery include the standardised size of the rhexis. We report a patient with RP who underwent femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery, who subsequently developed CCS that required treatment. CCS following femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery has not been reported before. This case highlights the increased risk of CCS in patients with RP.

Setting:

New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, UK

Methods:

A patient with RP underwent femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery. A standard 5.5mm capsulorhexis was created without any complications. Cataract surgery was uneventful and a single piece monofocal hydrophobic acrylic lens was inserted in the bag. Within 3 months following the surgery the patient became symptomatic with reduced vision in that eye. Examination showed contraction of the anterior capsule resulting in phimosis that now impinged on the visual axis.

Results:

This patient developed CCS that required treatment despite an correctly sized, perfectly round capsulorhexis. RP patients are known to be at risk of significant contraction of the capsule. CCS following femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery has not been reported before.

Conclusions:

This case highlights the increased risk of CCS in patients with RP despite an accurately sized capsulorhexis. Literature suggests a significant reduction in the anterior capsule opening appears universal in RP. With an exaggerated contraction of the anterior capsule opening, the importance of an adequately size capsulorhexis in these patients is clear. Whilst femtosecond assisted cataract surgery may negate the risk associated with an undersized anterior capsulorhexis, this case shows in some RP patients this is not enough to prevent CCS. Patients should therefore be counselled appropriately and an appropriate sized capsulorhexis selected

Financial Disclosure:

None