Objectives:

To investigate the efficiency and reliability of capsulovitrectomy (CV) for posterior capsule opacification (PCO) following cataract operation.

Ma­te­ri­als and Met­hods:

In this retrospective study, we included 32 eyes of 30 patients with PCO between January 2009 and June 2013 and could not get effective Nd:YAG laser treatment. Pars plana or limbal CV operations were performed at least 6 months after the cataract operation.

Re­sults:

In these 30 patients, female/male ratio was 17/13 and average age was 44.7 years (4.00-71.00 years). Diagnoses before the cataract operation were as follows: pediatric cataract in 8 eyes (25%), complicated cataract in 15 eyes (46.87%) [diabetic vitrectomy in 12 eyes (37.5%), uveitis in 3 eyes (9.37%)], and senile cataract in 9 eyes (28.13%). The mean corrected visual acuity (CVA) before the CV operation was 1.34±0.71 (0.56-2.50), whereas it was 0.37±0.19 (0.00-0.70) (Log MAR) 6 months after CV. There was a significant difference (p=0.01 paired t-test) between preoperative and postoperative 6-month CVA. At postoperative 6th month, CVA was seen to increase in all eyes.

Conclusion:

CV operation is an efficient and reliable method in PCO following cataract operation for those who cannot get effective Nd:YAG laser treatment.

Keywords: Posterior capsule opacification, capsulovitrectomy