Cataract Surgery in Uveitis

PURPOSE To study the visual outcome of cataract surgery in eyes with uveitis. METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients with uveitis operated for cataract. RESULTS 106 eyes of 89 patients with uveitis were operated for cataract. In 62.3% eyes (66/106), post-operative follow-up was at least 6 months. There was significant improvement (P < 0.001) in visual acuity after cataract surgery. Provided the uveitis was well controlled for three months pre-operatively, additional pre-operative anti-inflammatory medications did not significantly affect (P = 0.842) post-operative inflammation. Patients who received extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) or phacoemulsification with posterior chamber IOL (PCIOL) obtained better visual acuity at 6 weeks (P = 0.009 and P = 0.032 respectively) than those with only ECCE without IOL. In 37 eyes vision did not improve due to persistent uveitis (23.9%, 16/67), cystoid macular oedeme (20.9%, 14/67), and posterior capsule opacification (14.9%, 10/67). CONCLUSION Cataract extraction and PCIOL implantation is safe in eyes with uveitis. Additional preoperative medications may not alleviate post-operative inflammation if uveitis is well controlled for at least three months before surgery.