Background:

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation (IOL) in patients with Behçet’s disease.

Methods:

Twenty-eight eyes of 21 patients with Behçet’s disease that had phacoemulsification with hydrophobic foldable IOL implantation between 2002 and 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. All eyes were in remission with systemic immunsupresive treatment for at least 3 months before surgery. Any particular pre-operative training procedure was not used. All surgeries were completed using a standardized phacoemulsification with clear corneal incision, and in-the-bag monoblock foldable hydrophobic acrylic IOL implantation. Postoperative findings were evaluated daily in first week, weekly in first month and then monthly after surgery. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, complications, degree of postoperative inflammation were determined.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 39.6±12.8 years (range 16 to 58 years). The mean postoperative follow-up was 36.7±13.9 months (range 12 to 79 months). Postoperative visual acuity increased in all eyes and was 0.3 logMAR or better in 18 eyes. Thirteen eyes had mild and two eyes had severe fibrinous uveitis postoperatively. Posterior capsule opacification occurred in 15 of eyes and Nd-YAG capsulotomy was required in all. Cystoid macular oedema was seen in 4 eyes, posterior synechiae formation was seen in 3 eyes, capsular phimosis was seen in 2 eyes, persistant corneal oedema was seen in one eye.

Conclusions:

With diligent surgery and close postoperative follow up, phacoemulsification with in the bag intraocular lens implantation is safe and efficient method for cataract management in patients with Behçet’s disease who are in remission preoperatively.

Keywords: Behçet’s disease, uveitis, cataract, phacoemulsification, inflammation