Outcomes Of Cataracte Surgery In Patients With Uveitis : A Retrospective Case-Control Study

Uveitis is a leading causes of blindness worldwide, and the development of cataracts is common due to both the presence of intraocular inflammation and the most commonly employed treatment with corticosteroids. The management of these cataracts can be very challenging and often requires additional procedures that can compromise surgical results.

The purpose of our study is to determine the outcomes of cataract surgery in eyes with uveitis, includind the intraoperative and postopérative complications.

Hassan II universitary hospital, Fez, Morocco 

It is a retrospective study of 45 cases of patients who underwent cataract surgery following a diagnosis of uveitis at the Hassan II universitary hospital in Fez, between January 2010 and December 2022.

45 eyes were included in our study. of cataracts with uveitis were included in our series. The most common cause was Behçet's disease, however, 70% of cases had idiopathic uveitis. The median duration of uveitis prior to cataract surgery was 2years and median period of quiescence prior to surgery was 6months. 80% of our patients had posterior synechiae, and 3 eyes had fibrinous membranes. All our patients received pre-operative anti-inflammatory medications. There was significant improvement in visual acuity after cataract surgery. By 6 months, visual acuity was 20/100 or better in 85% of the cases. In 7 eyes vision did not improve due to persistent uveitis, cystoïd macular oedema, posterior capsule opacification, and epimacular membrane. 

Cataract surgery in uveitis is complex. The underlying disease affects a relatively young population at higher risk of complications. Preoperative control of inflammation for at least three months is requiered prior to surgical intervention.

The most common postoperative complications include macular edema, posterior capsule opacification, recurrent or persistent inflammation, glaucoma, epiretinal membrane and IOL deposits.