Primary capsulectomy, anterior vitrectomy, lensectomy, and posterior chamber lens implantation in children: limbal versus pars plana.

PURPOSE: To compare the results of a limbal versus a pars plana approach for primary posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy in the management of childhood cataract. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Labbafinejad Medical Center, Tehran, Iran. METHODS: A randomized, controlled, double-masked clinical trial of 45 eyes was conducted. After being matched, 38 eyes were included in the study and were divided into 2 equal groups for data analysis. All eyes had lensectomy and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation. Primary posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy were performed through the limbus in half of the eyes and the pars plana in the other half. Main outcome measures included visual acuity, estimated red reflex, postsurgical inflammatory reaction, corneal clarity, posterior synechias, iris capture, IOL position, capsulectomy size, glaucoma, cystoid macular edema, retinal tear, and postoperative refraction. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the 2 approaches in the outcome measures. CONCLUSION: The anatomic and visual results were encouraging when posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy, using a limbal or pars plana approach, were combined with lensectomy and PC IOL implantation in children. The application of these techniques depends on surgeon experience and skill.     

Clinical outcomes of pars plana capsulotomy with anterior vitrectomy in pediatric cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: The management of the posterior capsule in pediatric cataract surgery remains challenging. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the role and clinical outcomes of primary pars plana capsulotomy and pars plana anterior vitrectomy during pediatric cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: Consecutive cases of pars plana capsulotomy and anterior vitrectomy during pediatric cataract surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The surgical technique was the same in all patients and involved pars plana capsulotomy with anterior vitrectomy after the IOL was implanted in the capsular bag. RESULTS: Seventy-six pediatric cataract cases in 61 patients performed from 1994 through 1999 used the pars plana posterior capsulotomy technique and were included in this analysis. A posterior chamber IOL was implanted in all cases. There were no intraoperative complications associated with the surgery. Median age at the time of surgery was 21 months. All patients had at least 1 year of follow-up and mean follow-up was 29.4 months. Among patients old enough to read Snellen's letters (53 eyes), final best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 32 eyes (60%) and 20/50 to 20/200 in 21 eyes (40%). Poor final visual acuity was associated with deprivation amblyopia or optic nerve dysplasia or hypoplasia. There were no postoperative retinal complications or cases of IOL dislocation during the follow-up period. Seven eyes (9.2%) of five patients with a median age of 2.5 months developed reopacification of the visual axis at a mean of 4.1 months postoperatively. This event occurred in 6 of 28 eyes with an age of 6 months or less (21.4%), versus only 1 of 48 eyes with an age greater than 6 months (2.0%) (P =.006, Fisher exact test). The visual axis was restored by pars plana membranectomy in 6 eyes and 1 eye of one patient underwent neodymium:YAG laser membrane discission. CONCLUSIONS: Pars plana capsulotomy with pars plana anterior vitrectomy is a safe, effective method of managing the posterior capsule in pediatric cataract surgery with IOL implantation. Visual axis reopacification is associated with a very young age at the time of surgery. Continued follow-up of these patients is important to assess the long-term outcomes of this surgical approach.     

25-G玻璃体手术系统在儿童白内障手术中的应用

目的 探讨儿童白内障手术中在无灌注状态下应用25-G玻璃体切除头切除视轴区晶状体后囊膜和玻璃体前皮质的安全性和有效性.方法 为前瞻性系列病例研究.对连续30例(40只眼)儿童白内障在全身麻醉下进行晶状体前囊环形撕开、白内障吸出和囊袋内折叠式人工晶状体(IOL)植入后,在前房保留黏弹剂的状态下,经扁平部应用25-G玻璃体切除头行视轴区晶状体后囊膜切开和前玻璃体皮质切除.观察记录手术切除时间、眼压变化、穿刺口愈合情况、手术并发症和手术疗效.结果 所有手术均顺利进行,术中无前房塌陷、晶状体后囊膜撕裂和其他并发症,IOL均位于囊袋内.视轴区后囊膜切开和玻璃体前皮质切除的时间为20～60 s,平均(38.8±11.2)s.有2只眼术后发生短暂低眼压,均在3 d内恢复正常,其余患儿术后眼压在正常范围.术后2只眼前房出现轻度纤维性渗出,在术后37～d完全吸收.超声活体显微镜显示巩膜穿刺口在术后1个月左右痊愈.随访时间4～30个月,平均8个月.所有患儿瞳孔均圆而居中,无虹膜后粘连、后囊膜切开区混浊、IOL偏位或夹持、玻璃体脱出、视网膜脉络膜脱离及增生性玻璃体视网膜病变发生.结论 在儿童白内障手术中利用25-G玻璃体切除头在无灌注状态下行视轴区晶状体后囊膜切开和玻璃体前皮质切除术安全有效,手术创伤小,操作容易控制,术后炎症反应轻.长期疗效及与其他手术方式疗效的比较还需进一步观察.     

Morphology of secondary cataract membrane in child post congenital cataract surgery--case report

In younger children it is advantageous to perform cataract surgery with posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy to prevent secondary cataract formation. In many cases after surgery lens epithelial cells grow on the posterior lens capsule, and on the anterior surface of the vitreous. Authors report a case of secondary cataract in 6 years old girl post pars plana lensectomy and anterior vitrectomy in both eyes. They performed secondary posterior chamber IOL implantation and examined the fibrous tissue resection (secondary cataract), from the left eye - histological and immunohistochemical tests. This examination with H&E staining revealed the presence of fibroblast-like cells. The lens epithelial cells probably underwent epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and in some cases can create secondary cataract.     

Silicone intraocular lens implantation in children: preliminary results

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and outcome of foldable silicone intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in children. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany. METHODS: The results of cataract extraction and silicone IOL implantation in children having surgery between 1992 and 1997 were retrospectively analyzed in 8 eyes (7 patients). All IOLs were implanted in the capsular bag through a 3.5 mm clear corneal incision. In 4 eyes, primary posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy were performed. RESULTS: Mean patient age at the time of surgery was 5.1 years (range 8 months to 15 years). The surgeries were uneventful. All IOLs remained anatomically stable and well centered during the mean follow-up of 29.6 months (range 18 to 46 months). Postoperative inflammatory reaction was minimal. Neither fibrinoid exudation nor posterior synechias occurred postoperatively. Postoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/800 to 20/20. All eyes with an intact posterior capsule developed posterior capsule opacification. In the 4 eyes that had primary posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy, the visual axis remained clear. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that silicone IOL implantation in children is a safe procedure with good and stable short-term anatomic results. Longer follow-up is necessary to answer questions about the long-term safety of silicone lens implantation in a child's eye.     

Results of cataract extraction with IOL implantation in children aged 17 months to 8 years old

PURPOSE: To evaluate anatomical and functional results of cataract extraction and IOL implantation, together with posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cataract extraction and IOL implantation with posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy was performed in 32 eyes of children between 17 months and 8 years old. Patients were followed up for a mean period 36 months (from 6 months to 5.5 years). RESULTS: Good anatomical results were achieved in all, except 2 cases. One eye required removal of opacifications located posterior to the IOL In the second eye membrane from the anterior surface of the lens were excised. Final postoperative visual acuity in eyes with bilateral cataract was 0.59, whereas in unilateral cataract 0.25. Half of the children with bilateral cataract has significantly worse BCVA in one eye. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract extraction and IOL implantation with posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy in young children gives good anatomical results. Functional results are better in bilateral congenital cataract, comparing to unilateral cases. To achieve good functional results, visual rehabilitation is necessary.     

Pars plana vitrectomy with posterior iris claw implantation for posteriorly dislocated nucleus and intraocular lens

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with primary posterior iris claw intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in cases of posterior dislocation of nucleus and IOL without capsular support. This was a retrospective interventional case series. Fifteen eyes underwent PPV with primary posterior iris claw IOL implantation performed by a single vitreoretinal surgeon. The main outcome measures were changes in best corrected visual acuity and anterior and posterior segment complications. A total of 15 eyes were included in this study. Eight had nucleus drop, three had IOL drop during cataract surgery and four had traumatic posterior dislocation of lens. The final postoperative best corrected visual acuity was 20/60 or better in 11 patients. This procedure is a viable option in achieving good functional visual acuity in eyes without capsular support.     

不同玻璃体切割方式预防儿童晶状体植入术后视轴混浊的对比研究

目的 在儿童白内障术中应用两种不同的玻璃体切割系统行后囊切开联合前段玻璃体切除术,术中同期植入人工晶状体(IOL),比较术后视轴混浊的发生率.方法 回顾性病例研究.连续收集因先天性及发育性白内障收入山东省眼科研究所并行手术治疗的8岁及以下患儿,2003年6月至2006年6月及2006年7月至2008年6月间分别采用18-G及25-G玻璃体切割系统行后囊切开和前段玻璃体切除术,采用x2检验比较两种手术后视轴混浊的发生率.结果 共19例双眼患儿和16例单眼患儿应用18-G同轴玻璃体切割系统行后囊切开及前段玻璃体切除术,19例双眼和12例单眼患儿利用经睫状体扁平部的25-G玻璃体切割系统进行手术,术后视轴混浊的发生率分别为15％(8/54)和2％ (1/50),二者差异具有统计学意义(x2=5.393,P＜0.05).此外,应用18-G玻璃体切割系统的患儿,有3眼IOL术中植入睫状沟,14眼术后发生明显的虹膜后黏连;而应用25-G玻切系统的患儿,所有患眼IOL均同期稳定植入囊袋内,术后仅有2眼发生轻度的虹膜后黏连.结论 儿童白内障摘除联合IOL植入操作中行后囊膜切开联合前段玻璃体切除手术时,相较于18-G同轴玻璃体切割系统,经扁平部的25-G玻璃体切割系统不仅降低了术后视轴混浊的发生率,而且增加了手术的安全性.     

Visual axis opacification after AcrySof intraocular lens implantation in children

PURPOSE: To evaluate visual axis opacification after AcrySof intraocular lens (IOL) (Alcon) implantation in pediatric eyes. SETTING: Iladevi Cataract and IOL Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India. METHODS: This prospective study evaluated 103 consecutive eyes of 72 children with congenital cataract. Two groups were formed based on age at surgery: Group 1, younger than 2 years, and Group 2, older than 2 years. All eyes in Group 1 (n = 37) had primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCCC) with anterior vitrectomy. In Group 2 (n = 66), management of the posterior capsule was assigned randomly to no PCCC (Group 2A, n = 37) or PCCC (Group 2B, n = 29). The PCCC group was further randomized into 2 subgroups: no vitrectomy (Group 2BN, n = 14) or vitrectomy (Group 2BV, n = 15). The primary outcome measures were visual axis opacification and the resulting need for a secondary procedure. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows (version 11.0.1). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 5.2 years +/- 5.0 (SD) (range 0.2 to 16.0 years) and the mean follow-up, 2.3 +/- 0.9 years (range 1.0 to 4.0 years). Overall, 41 eyes (39.8%) developed visual axis opacification and 14 (13.6%) required secondary intervention. In Group 1, 4 eyes (10.8%) developed visual axis opacification and 3 (8.1%) had a secondary pars plana vitrectomy. In Group 2A, 31 eyes (83.8%) developed posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and 10 eyes (27.7%) had secondary intervention. Children 8 years or younger at the time of surgery developed significantly greater PCO than older children (P =.01). Five eyes (37.5%) in Group 2BN had opacification of the anterior vitreous face, 1 of which required a secondary procedure. One eye (6.7%) in Group 2BV had visual axis opacification that did not require a secondary procedure. CONCLUSIONS: AcrySof IOL implantation with appropriate management of the posterior capsule maintained a clear visual axis in 60.2% of eyes. Of the 39.8% of eyes with visual axis opacification, 13.6% had visually significant opacification and required a secondary procedure.     

Secondary intraocular lens implantation in children

PURPOSE: We describe a technique for secondary intraocular lens implantation in the ciliary sulcus in patients with congenital cataract or with primary aphakia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Secondary intraocular lens implantation was performed in 119 eyes of 74 children. The average age at this procedure was 6.8 (range 22 months to 10 years), whereas the average age at primary cataract surgery was 18 weeks (range 7 weeks to 19 months). The average follow-up was 5.7 years. All eyes received a PMMA IOL. The sites of IOL fixation was ciliary sulcus. All patients had cataract extraction (lensectomy) via the pars plana, leaving in situ peripheral collarette of capsular bag to enable secondary lens implantation. RESULTS: Complications included IOL dislocation in five eyes, visual axis opacification in four, pupillary capture in one eye. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary IOL implantation in the ciliary sulcus is a safe and effective method to correct aphakia in pediatric patients with adequate capsular support. This surgical procedure is associated with a low rate of complications.     

Pars plana lentectomy for treatment of congenital cataract

BACKGROUND: Congenital cataract surgery can be performed using a pars plicata/plana or a limbal approach, if placement of an intraocular lens at the time of cataract removal is not a consideration. Because of the high incidence of secondary cataract formation in children the operation should be combined with capsulotomy and anterior vitrectomy. METHODS: The series consisted of 30 eyes from 20 consecutive children who suffered from congenital cataract and underwent cataract surgery between May 1995 and June 2000. The inclusion criterion was congenital cataract affecting the visual axis. We performed the operations as lens aspiration with anterior and posterior capsulotomy and anterior vitrectomy via the pars plana or plicata. We used contact lenses to rehabilitate vision. All patients received intensive orthoptic and pleoptic treatment. RESULTS: This surgical technique provided in all eyes a clear visual axis. During follow-up of 3 months to 4.5 years, secondary cataract developed in five eyes. Retinal detachment, glaucoma and endophthalmitis did not occur. One patient developed contact lens intolerance and a secondary intraocular lens was placed in the ciliary sulcus. DISCUSSION: Lentectomy via a pars plana or pars plicata approach is a suitable and safe method for treating cataract in children. Our chosen method of lentectomy is an alternative to early implantation of an intraocular lens. It is possible to perform uncomplicated secondary implantation of an intraocular lens in the ciliary sulcus.     

Complications in the first year following cataract surgery with and without IOL in infants and older children.

PURPOSE: The optimal role of intraocular lenses (IOLs) in infants remains a controversial topic for many reasons, including concerns about significant complications occurring in young rapidly developing eyes. METHODS: To assess the number and type of significant complications requiring further intervention occurring in the first postoperative year, we reviewed the records of 15 eyes of 13 infants undergoing lensectomy with posterior chamber IOL and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV)/capsulectomy under 6 months (group A) of age as part of an ongoing prospective study of IOL use in infants. This group was compared with a group of 16 children age 10 months to 5 years undergoing an identical procedure (group B) and a group of 33 infants less than 6 months of age undergoing lensectomy/vitrectomy without IOL (group C). RESULTS: Thirteen of 15 eyes in group A required additional surgery in the first postoperative year. Twelve of the 15 eyes (80%) developed secondary opacification across the visual axis posterior to the IOL requiring a second PPV and one eye developed pseudophakic glaucoma. Two patients required a third PPV to keep the visual axis clear. In group B, 0 of 16 (P <.0001) developed secondary opacification of the visual axis. In group C, 4 of 33 (12%; P <.0001) developed pupillary opacification in the first postoperative year. CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular lens implants in infants may be associated with a higher complication rate requiring further surgery during the first postoperative year than is lensectomy/vitrectomy surgery without IOL implant in infants or lensectomy/IOL/vitrectomy surgery in children older than 6 months of age.     

Long-term results of pars plana lensectomy with double-capsule-supported intraocular lens implantation in children

Background: To report the long-term results of the pars plana lensectomy with double-capsule-supported intraocular lens implantation technique for the treatment of pediatric cataracts.Methods: A lensectomy and an anterior vitrectomy were performed through the pars plana approach, followed by implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) to the sulcus over the capsules. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 5 years were included in the study and patient data were collected retrospectively from the patient reports.Results: Sixteen eyes of 10 patients with a mean age of 4.3 (SD 1.1) years were included in the study. Only one case was traumatic, and the others were congenital cataract cases. A 6.5 mm polymethyl methacrylate posterior chamber IOL was used in all cases. The visual axis was clear in all the cases through the mean follow-up period of 79.2 (SD 14.1) months. IOL decentration was observed in 1 eye at postoperative month 24, and it needed to be repositioned. There was no posterior capsular opacification in any of the cases. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 81.3% of the eyes.Interpretation: The pars plana lensectomy with double-capsule-supported intraocular lens implantation technique seems to be a safe and easy method in children, limiting postoperative IOL-related complications and posterior capsule opacification in the long term.     

Pars plana lensectomy with double-capsule-supported intraocular lens implantation in children

An alternative technique to manage pediatric cataracts comprises a pars plana lensectomy and anterior vitrectomy with anterior and posterior capsulotomies and posterior chamber heparin-surface-modified intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in the ciliary sulcus through a scleral tunnel. The surgical results in 7 eyes of 6 consecutive patients between 3.5 and 12.0 years old with developmental or traumatic cataract who had surgery using this technique were evaluated prospectively. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 19 months. All 7 eyes maintained a clear pupillary axis and a well-centered IOL from immediately after surgery to the last follow-up. Final best corrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 71% of cases.     

后发性白内障后囊切除术

目的探讨外伤性和并发性白内障后囊混浊的治疗方法。方法后发性白内障30例（33眼），经平坦部施行后囊切除及前段中轴玻璃体切除术。结果术后随访3－32月，32眼后囊中央形成直径3mm圆孔，切囊成功率达97％，矫正视≥0．5者占84．8％；未发现瞳孔区玻璃体疝、囊样黄斑水肿或视网膜脱离等并发症。结论该手术是一种安全可靠的后发性白内障治疗方法，特别适用于外伤性和并发性白内障，尤其是儿童人工晶体前膜形成者。     

儿童白内障一期后囊截开及后房型人工晶体植入术的探讨

目的：探讨不同方法一期后囊截开对儿童白内障后房型人工晶体植入术后晶体后囊膜混浊的预防作用。方法：对28例（31只眼）儿童先天性白内障和外伤性白内障分别采用一期后囊膜切开、部分切除或联合前部玻璃体切除及后房型人工晶体植入术。术后随访3个月以上。结果：出院时矫正视力≥0．5者达71％，随访显示80％术眼视轴区透明，眼底清晰可见。结论：一期切开或部分切除后囊在一定程度上预防儿童白内障术后晶体后囊膜混浊的发生。对于穿通伤所致晶体囊膜破孔较大者宜联合前部玻璃体切除术。     

Risk factors for secondary membrane formation after removal of pediatric cataract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of secondary membrane formation, factors that lead to its development, and the frequency of procedures to treat these membranes in children after cataract surgery. SETTING: Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. METHODS: Clinical records of 152 patients (190 eyes) who had cataract extraction between January 1986 and 1996 were reviewed retrospectively. The mean follow-up was 6 years (range 2 to 13 years). Cataract surgery was performed through a limbal incision in all cases. Twenty-eight eyes had a primary posterior capsulectomy, and 120 eyes had posterior capsulectomy combined with an anterior vitrectomy. In 42 eyes, the posterior capsule was left intact. Nineteen eyes received a primary intraocular lens (IOL), 15 eyes received a secondary IOL, and 156 eyes were rehabilitated with spectacles or contact lenses. RESULTS: Seventy-two eyes (37.9%) developed secondary membrane a mean of 8.9 months postoperatively (range 3 weeks to 53 months). Membranes occurred in 78.6% of eyes with an intact posterior capsule, 42.9% with posterior capsulectomy, and 22.5% with combined posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy. Secondary membrane formation was associated with not performing a posterior capsulectomy with anterior vitrectomy (P < .001) and the presence of a primary IOL (P < .001). Younger age at surgery increased the chance of secondary membrane formation in patients who had posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The younger the child at cataract surgery, the greater the risk of secondary membrane. Primary posterior capsulectomy combined with an anterior vitrectomy decreased but did not eliminate the incidence of secondary membrane.     

Posterior capsule management in congenital cataract surgery

Management of the posterior capsule significantly affects the outcome of pediatric cataract surgery. Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is rapid and virtually inevitable in very young children when adult-style cataract surgery is performed and the posterior capsule is left intact. In eyes with pediatric cataract, primary posterior capsulotomy and vitrectomy are considered routine surgical steps, especially in younger children. The site of intraocular lens (IOL) fixation and the surgical technique used also affect the prevalence of PCO. The present systematic review evaluates the options available to prevent PCO or ensure a clear central visual axis after pediatric cataract surgery. Newer approaches to posterior capsule management such as pars plicata posterior capsulorhexis, sutureless vitrectomy, sealed-capsule irrigation, and bag-in-the-lens IOL are discussed. Management of the posterior capsule in the presence of a preexisting posterior capsule defect and posterior capsule plaque and options to treat PCO are also reviewed. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.     

Combined phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy for macular hole treatment

PURPOSE: To assess the outcome of simultaneous phacoemulsification, pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in eyes with macular hole. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 38 eyes (36 patients) after combined phacoemulsification, insertion of a posterior capsule IOL and pars plana vitrectomy. RESULTS: The macular hole was successfully closed in 32 of the 38 eyes (84%). In six eyes (16%) the hole failed to close and one eye underwent a second operation. Vision improved by two or more Snellen lines in 29 eyes (73%), there was no change in seven eyes (18%), and visual acuity decreased in two eyes (5%). Intraoperative and postoperative complications included retinal tears in nine eyes (24%), posterior capsule rupture in two eyes (5%), transient postoperative increase of intraocular pressure in eight eyes (21%), and posterior capsule opacification in five eyes (13%). CONCLUSION: Combining phacoemulsification, IOL insertion and pars plana vitrectomy for macular hole repair can reduce the need for cataract surgery in the future, decrease costs, shorten postoperative recovery time and allow for clearer intraoperative visualization, making the procedure safer and more effective.     

Combined surgery, phacoemulsification, implantation of intraocular lens and pars plana vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness, technical feasibility and incidence of complications after combining pars plana vitrectomy, phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The results of combined vitreoretinal and cataract surgery in 100 eyes of 96 patients were retrospectively and prospectively analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 8.4 months. All patients had clinically significant lens opacities and vitreoretinal pathology requiring pars plana vitrectomy. Indications for vitreoretinal surgery included: persistent vitreous haemorrhage (28 eyes), vitreous hemorrhage combined with tractional retinal detachment (50 eyes), tractional retinal detachment without vitreous haemorrhage caused by proliferative diabetic retinopathy (7 eyes), rheumatogenous retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (10 eyes) and dislocated crystalline lens in the vitreous (5 eyes). RESULTS: Postoperatively, best corrected visual acuity improved in 81 eyes (81%)- by two lines or more in 31 eyes (31%) - by less than two lines in 50 eyes (50%). In 14 eyes (14%) visual acuity was unchanged and was worse in 5 cases (5%). Postoperative complications included fibrin reaction, posterior synechias of the iris, vitreous hemorrhage, neovascular glaucoma, posterior capsule opacification, redetachment of retina. CONCLUSIONS: Our cases confirm previous study, that performing phacoemulsification, IOL implantation and vitrectomy in one operation is safe and allows visual recovery with good technical results.