Posters

Evaluation of cataract surgery complications in eyes that have undergone intravitreal injections for age-related macular degeneration

Poster Details

First Author: Y.Kusumi JAPAN

Co Author(s):    N. Matsuki   M. Inoue   A. Yamamoto   A. Okada   A. Hirakata        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents have been widely used for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The aim of this study was to evaluate intraoperative complications of cataract surgery in eyes that have undergone intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents for AMD.

Setting:

Single academic institution, retrospective case control study

Methods:

The medical records of 348 eyes of 242 patients between the ages of 60 and 96 years who underwent cataract surgery from May 2014 to April 2017 by a single surgeon (NM) were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups of 54 eyes of 48 patients who had a history of intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents for AMD (injection group) and 294 eyes of 205 patients who had not receive any intravitreal injections (control group). Types of cataract and intraoperative complications were compared between the groups.

Results:

The mean age was 80.8±6.0 years for the injection group and 76.2±8.0 years for the control group (P<0.001). The rate of posterior subcapsular cataract was significantly higher in the injection group than the control group (P<0.001), although the rates of nuclear, cortical, and anterior subcapsular cataract were not significant different. Intraoperative posterior capsule rupture (PCR) with vitreous loss occurred in 4 eyes (7%) of the injection group and 3 eyes (1%) of the control group (P=0.01), however the rate of zonular dehiscence was not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions:

Patients who underwent cataract surgery after anti-VEGF injections were significantly older and had significantly higher rates of posterior subcapsular cataract and intraoperative PCR than those without a history of intravitreal injections. Cataract surgeons need to be aware of this higher risk of complications in AMD eyes undergoing treatment, with careful preoperative examination of the cataract and informed discussions with the patient.

Financial Disclosure:

gains financially from product or procedure presented