Cataract surgery in patients with nanophthalmos: results and complications

Session Details

Session Title: Cataract Surgery Special Cases I

Session Date/Time: Sunday 14/09/2014 | 14:30-16:30

Paper Time: 15:00

Venue: Boulevard G

First Author: : J.Lemos PORTUGAL

Co Author(s): :    P. Rodrigues   R. Avelino Resende   C. Menezes   R. Gonçalves   B. Vieira   J. Serino

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate phacoemulsification surgery results and complications in patients with nanophthalmos.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology of Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos, Portugal.

Methods:

The records of consecutive patients with nanophthalmos who had cataract surgery from 2011 through January 2014 were reviewed. Nanophthalmos was diagnosed by the presence of an eye with an axial length (AL) less than 20.0 mm, typically a shallow anterior chamber, hyperopia and scleral thickening greater than 1.5 mm. The records were reviewed for ocular diagnosis, keratometry, AL, retinal-choroidal-scleral thickness determined by echography, ocular surgeries, visual acuity and complications.

Results:

8 eyes of 4 patients (3 women, 1 man) with a mean age of 67.25 years (ranged from 48 to 86) were reviewed. The median AL was 16.48 mm and the median follow-up was 12.0 months. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent (12.67 ± 4.41 diopters (D)), was reduced to 1.45 ± 2.31D at last follow-up visit. Intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased with surgery (median of 14.0 mmHg preoperatively and 12.0 mmHg postoperatively). The visual acuity remained stable or improved in all 8 eyes (mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.35 ± 0.23 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) preoperatively and 0.27 ± 0.19 logMAR at last follow-up visit). No postoperative uveal effusion or infections were seen in any of the eyes. Complications included 1 case of intraocular lens power calculation error (with residual hyperopia of +5.0D) and 1 case of iritis. Prophylatic laser iridoplasty or iridotomy was not performed for surgery.

Conclusions:

Although phacoemulsification seems to be relatively safe in nanophthalmic eyes, surgeons need to be aware of the challenges of this procedure in these high-risk eyes. Nevertheless, with careful preoperative evaluation and planning, complications can be avoided.

Financial Interest:

NONE