POSTERIOR VITREOUS DETACHMENT RATES POST-UNCOMPLICATED PHACOEMULSIFICATION SURGERY - A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

It is commonly accepted that phacoemulsification surgery is a risk factor for the development of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and may accelerate the process. We sought to examine the cumulative incidence and onset of PVD following uncomplicated phacoemulsification. 

This is an important consideration particularly in cases involving young patients who pre-operatively have no PVD, given the increased risk of retinal tears and detachments. Whilst studies have examined rates of PVD formation in patients with complete vitreoretinal adherence pre-operatively, no systematic review has been performed on the topic.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify studies reporting incidence of PVD post-uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was used for search strategy. Of 3071 titles, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria; The outcomes measured were PVD occurrence by (1) time, (2) type, (3) age, (4) gender and (5) axial length, with all statistical analysis performed using Review Manager.

A total of 2034 eyes were included for analysis with a mean follow-up time of 28.3 months. 33.3% of patients developed a PVD, either partial or complete, with rates increasing in a time dependent manner. No significant difference was noted in sub-group analysis by age, gender or axial length.