SURGICAL REMOVAL OF DENSE POSTERIOR CAPSULE OPACIFICATION AND VITREOUS FLOATERS IN ADULTS BY POSTERIOR CONTINUOUS CURVILINEAR CAPSULORHEXIS THROUGH THE PARS PLANA AND 23-GAUGE VITRECTOMY.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis through the pars plana and 23-gauge vitrectomy in surgical management of dense posterior capsule opacification and vitreous floaters. METHODS: Fifteen pseudophakic eyes of 15 patients with dense posterior capsule opacification and vitreous floaters between September 2012 and June 2014 were included; after vitrectomy, posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis through the pars plana was performed. Data were collected, including baseline preoperative characteristics, postoperative outcomes, complications, and a modified quality-of-life survey that patients completed. RESULTS: No intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered in any of the 15 cases. Mean Snellen best-corrected visual acuity was 20/250 preoperatively and improved to 20/32 postoperatively (P < 0.001). All patients showed normal intraocular pressure 7 days after the procedure. The mean overall corneal endothelial cell loss at postoperative Month 3 was 1.2%. Approximately 80% of the patients had no complaint of vitreous floaters after the procedure. Except for 1 patient (7%) diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, the rest of the patients (93%) were satisfied with the procedure and would recommend it to friends with dense posterior capsule opacification and vitreous floaters. CONCLUSION: Posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis through the pars plana combined with 23-gauge vitrectomy may be used to remove dense posterior capsule opacification and vitreous floaters in pseudophakic eyes.