Vitrectomy in the management of intraocular foreign bodies and their complications.

Twenty-six eyes with intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) and/or their sequelae were treated by pars plana vitrectomy and associated surgery. One-step removal of the IOFB in combination with pars plana vitrectomy resulted in early visual rehabilitation and minimal complications. Of 11 eyes with IOFB treated by primary vitrectomy at the time of IOFB removal 20/50 or better visual acuity was obtained in 10 (91%). Four of these eyes had retinal injury, 3 of which were successfully repaired without subsequent complication and with retention of good visual function. In 3 eyes IOFBs were not removed owing to chronic retinal encapsulation. These eyes continue to retain good visual acuity, and ERG studies show no evidence of retinal toxicity. Of 12 eyes in which vitrectomy was performed for sequelae of IOFB only 5 (41%) showed visual improvement better than 20/50. Only in 2 of 7 eyes with tractional retinal detachment could the retina be reattached. In cases of retinal injury primary vitrectomy, cryocoagulation, and scleral buckling are suggested for prevention of late traction retinal detachment.     

Surgical management of non-metallic and non-magnetic metallic intraocular foreign bodies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical features and evaluate outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery in eyes with retained non-metallic and non-magnetic metallic intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review. Thirty-two eyes (28 patients) with non-metallic and non-magnetic metallic IOFBs underwent removal of IOFBs with intraocular forceps, either via the pars plana in 30 eyes (93.9%) or a limbal approach in 2 eyes (6.25%). The main outcome measures were postoperative visual acuity, rate of retinal break formation, development of retinal detachment, and type of IOFB. RESULTS: IOFBs were non-metallic in 22 eyes (68.7%) and non-magnetic metallic in 10 eyes (31.1%). The average follow-up period was 7.5 months. Overall, final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 10 eyes (31.1%) and 5/200 to 20/50 in 10 eyes (31.1%). A higher incidence of retinal break formation posterior to the sclerotomy was seen with glass IOFBs (P = .02). Retinal detachment was observed preoperatively in 4 eyes (12.5%) and postoperatively in 2 eyes (6.25%). CONCLUSION: Final visual outcome was independent of size and type of IOFB. Pars plana extractions may be associated with a higher rate of retinal break formation and subsequent retinal detachment, particularly with glass IOFBs.     

Management of dislocated lens fragments during phacoemulsification.

BACKGROUND: Dislocation of nuclear lens fragments during phacoemulsification can lead to a high incidence of glaucoma, uveitis, and poor visual acuity. The correct approach to these patients is uncertain. The authors report on eight patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with removal of lens fragments. METHODS: Charts of eight consecutive patients who developed dislocation of nuclear lens fragments into the vitreous cavity during phacoemulsification were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent a standard three-port pars plana vitrectomy with removal of the dislocated nuclear fragments by pars plana fragmentation. After the vitrectomy, the retina was inspected with indirect ophthalmoscopy. Tears were treated with cryopexy. A fluid-air exchange and scleral buckle were performed when indicated. RESULTS: Retinal tears were located at the vitreous base in four of eight patients. After vitrectomy, visual acuity improved in all patients, with 7 of 8 patients achieving visual acuity of 20/40 or better. The type of pseudophakia did not influence the final visual acuity. There were no cases of glaucoma, uveitis, or macular edema with up to 22 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that large nuclear fragments dislocated into the posterior segment during phacoemulsification can be removed safely with pars plana vitrectomy and lensectomy with an excellent visual prognosis. Attempts to remove lens fragments during the phacoemulsification through an anterior wound should be avoided because of excessive vitreous traction, leading to retinal break formation.     

Pars plana vitrectomy in the management of retained intravitreal lens fragments after cataract surgery

Purpose: To assess the outcome of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for retained lens fragments after cataract surgery. Methods: A retrospective study of all consecutive cases with pars plana vitrectomy performed for retained lens fragment was conducted. Twenty‐seven eyes of 27 patients were included in the study. Results: Twenty‐four (89.9%) eyes received phacoemulsification. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed at the same sitting, or ranged from day 1?70 after cataract surgery. The mean follow up was 31.1 months. Final visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 15 (55.6%) patients. After excluding patients with pre‐existing eye diseases, 68.4% of patients had visual acuity 6/12 or better. Complications after pars plana vitrectomy included glaucoma (22.2%), retinal detachment (11.1%) and surgically induced necrotizing scleritis (3.7%). Conclusion: Ocular complications with poor visual outcome can occur after removal of intravitreal retained lens fragments complicating cataract surgery.     

Vitrectomy for retained lens fragments in the vitreous after phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To assess the visual results, retinal detachment (RD) rate, incidence of glaucoma, and intraocular lens (IOL) placement after vitrectomy for removal of retained lens fragments in the vitreous after phacoemulsification. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Lund, Lund, Sweden. METHODS: This retrospective noncomparative interventional case series included all cases of pars plana vitrectomy for removal of retained lens fragments from January 1997 through January 2000. RESULTS: Sixty-six eyes of 65 patients had pars plana vitrectomy with removal of the lens material over the 3-year period. Visual acuity on presentation was 0.1 or worse in 36 eyes (54%). Visual acuity after vitrectomy was 0.5 or better in 35 eyes (53%). The postoperative visual acuity was worse than 0.1 in 14 eyes (21%). Twenty-seven (56%) of the 48 eyes operated on within 1 week and 8 (44%) of the 18 eyes operated on later achieved a visual acuity of 0.5 or better. Twelve eyes (80%) that had secondary posterior chamber IOL implantation achieved an acuity of 0.5 or better. An RD occurred in 7 eyes (11%). CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistically significant difference in outcomes between those having vitrectomy the first few days after cataract surgery and those having it later, although there was a trend toward better results when the vitrectomy was done sooner. Secondary IOL implantation resulted in a good visual outcome. Retinal detachment was the most severe complication.     

Management of retained intravitreal lens fragments after phacoemulsification surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features of eyes with retained intravitreal lens fragments after phacoemulsification surgery and to assess the guidelines of management and the visual outcome after vitrectomy. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients referred to our institute for retained intravitreal lens fragments after phacoemulsification cataract surgery were evaluated retrospectively over a 7-year period. RESULTS: The clinical features of retained lens fragments included deceased visual acuity of 6/60 or worse (68%), uveitis (60%), glaucoma (48%), corneal edema (44%) and retinal detachment in 2 patients (8%). There were 24 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy; 1 patient was managed with medical therapy. After vitrectomy, 17 eyes (71%) showed visual improvement, and final visual acuity was 6/12 or better in 13 eyes (54%). The causes of poor final visual outcome of 6/60 or worse included retinal detachment and cystoid macular edema. The time interval between vitrectomy and phacoemulsification was within 4 weeks in 17 patients (71%), ranging from on the same day to 97 days. There was only a trend of better visual outcome in early vitrectomy patients (within 1 week). There was no statistical difference between the initial intraocular lens status and final visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Vitectomy with removal of retained intravitreal lens fragments is beneficial for patients with persistent uveitis and glaucoma after phacoemulsification. In the majority of patients, visual improvement was achieved after vitrectomy. However, poor visual outcome may occur secondary to retinal detachment and cystoid macular edema.     

Combined lens and vitreoretinal surgery in patients with traumatic cataract and intraocular foreign body

AIM: To analyze the postoperative anatomical and functional outcomes as well as complications after combined phacoemul- sification, pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), removal of the intraocular foreign body (IOFB) and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with traumatic cataract and intraocular foreign body. METHODS: Medical records of 13 patients(13 eyes) with traumatic cataract and IOFB who had undergone combined phacoemulsification, PPV, foreign body extraction and IOL implantation were retrospectively analyzed. The postoperative follow-up ranged from 2 to 12 months. The main measure- ments of outcomes were the extraction success of cataract and intraocular foreign body, intraoperative and postoperative complications and the final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). ·RESULTS: The mean age of 13 patients(10 male, 3 female )was 36.8 years (range: 17-65 years). All eight IOFBs were removed. Four intraocular lenses were implanted after vitrectomy intraoperatively. In 5 cases, intraocular lenses were implanted during the second operation. Intraocular lenses were not implanted in 4 cases. BCVA at last ranged from 0.8 to hand movement. BCVA was 0.5 or better in four eyes, 0.1 to 0.4 in five eyes, less than 0.1 in four eyes. Intraoperative complications were encountered in 3 patients. They had vitreous hemorrhage. Postoperative complications were encounter- ed in 2 patients. They had retinal detachment. The reoperations of the two patients were successful. CONCLUSION: The combined phacoemulsification, PPV, removal of IOFB and IOL implantation is safe and effective for patients with traumatic cataract and intraocular foreign body. The visual outcome depended primarily on the corneal or scleral wound and underlying posterior segment pathology and sites.     

Multiple methods of surgical treatment combined with primary IOL implantation on traumatic lens subluxation/dislocation in patients with secondary glaucoma

METHODS:Non-comparative retrospective observational case series. Participants:30 cases (30 eyes) of lens subluxation/dislocation in patients with secondary glaucoma were investigated which accepted the surgical treatment by author in the Ophthalmology of Xi'an No.4 Hospital from 2007 to 2011. According to the different situations of lens subluxation/dislocation, various surgical procedures were performed such as crystalline lens phacoemulsification, crystalline lens phacoemulsification combined anterior vitrectomy, intracapsular cataract extraction combined anterior vitrectomy, lensectomy combined anterior vitrectomy though peripheral transparent cornea incision, pars plana lensectomy combined pars plana vitrectomy, and intravitreal cavity crystalline lens phacofragmentation combined pars plana vitrectomy. And whether to implement trabeculectomy depended on the different situations of secondary glaucoma. The posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC-IOLs) were implanted in the capsular-bag or trassclerally sutured in the sulus decided by whether the capsular were present. Main outcome measures:visual acuity, intraocular pressure, the situation of intraocular lens and complications after the operations.RESULTS: The follow-up time was 11-36mo (21.4±7.13). Postoperative visual acuity of all eyes were improved; 28 cases maintained IOP below 21 mm Hg; 2 cases had slightly IOL subluxation, 4 cases had slightly tilted lens optical area; 1 case had postoperative choroidal detachment; 4 cases had postoperative corneal edema more than 1wk, but eventually recovered transparent; 2 cases had mild postoperative vitreous hemorrhage, and absorbed 4wk later. There was no postoperative retinal detachment, IOL dislocation, and endophthalmitis.CONCLUSION:To take early treatment of traumatic lens subluxation/dislocation in patients with secondary glaucoma by individual surgical plan based on the different eye conditions would be safe and effective, which can effectively control the intraocular pressure and restore some vision.     

改良四通路玻璃体切割在人工晶状体后脱位治疗中的应用

目的:报道改良四通路玻璃体切割术治疗1例后房型人工晶状体后脱位.方法:一位青年性白内障患者,双眼白内障术后均发生人工晶状体后脱位,其1眼应用改良四通路玻璃体切割技术将人工晶状体复位,另1眼应患者的要求而未行手术治疗.结果:术中和术后未发生任何并发症,患者术眼视力迅速回复,术后14 mo最佳矫正视力为0.5;而未行手术治疗的另1眼发生全视网膜脱离,仅残余手动视力.结论:改良四通路玻璃体切割术是治疗人工晶状体后脱位的一个好选择.     

玻璃体切除治疗在眼后段异物摘出术中的作用

目的评价玻璃体切除术在眼后段眼内异物摘出术中的作用。方法总结分析2004年5月至2007年6月48例(48眼)运用常规平坦部三切口,闭合式玻璃体切除联合眼内异物摘出、视网膜复位、眼内光凝、眼内注入C3F8、眼内硅油充填及晶状体超声乳化等多联手术的临床资料。结果48例均一次成功摘出异物,有视网膜脱离者均在术中复位。38例视力有不同程度的提高。结论后段眼内异物选择玻璃体切除手术有直观、准确、安全、减少并发症发生等优点。     

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.     

Visual outcome and prognostic factors after vitrectomy for posterior segment foreign bodies

PURPOSE: To identify the prognostic factors that predict final visual outcome in eyes with posterior segment intraocular foreign body (IOFB) injuries managed by primary pars plana vitrectomy. METHODS: Ninety-six consecutive patients with posterior segment IOFB injuries were retrospectively reviewed. Factors analyzed included initial visual acuity (VA), time between injury and presentation, site of entrance wound, uveal prolapse, vitreous prolapse, traumatized iris, endophthalmitis, location and size of IOFB, use of scleral buckling and/or an encircling band, gas tamponade, lensectomy, number of surgical procedures, and development of retinal detachment. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 8.6 months, 63 eyes (65.6%) achieved VA of 20/200 or better, and 9 eyes (9.4%) had total retinal detachment complicated by inoperable proliferative vitreoretinopathy. On univariate analysis, predictors of poor vision (hand movements or less) were poor initial VA, corneoscleral entrance wound, uveal prolapse, vitreous prolapse, traumatized iris, and development of retinal detachment. In contrast, predictors of good visual outcome (20/200 or better) were absence of uveal prolapse, no endophthalmitis, and no retinal detachment. Multivariate analysis identified corneoscleral entrance wound, uveal prolapse, and development of retinal detachment as the only factors significantly associated with poor visual outcome. Absence of uveal prolapse was the only factor significantly associated with good visual outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Final visual outcome is greatly determined by the severity of the primary injury. On multivariate analysis, significant predictive factors of final VA were corneoscleral entrance wound, presence or absence of uveal prolapse, and development of retinal detachment.     

Prognosis of perforating eye injuries with intraocular foreign bodies

The long-term results of 95 consecutive eyes with a perforating eye injury and an intraocular foreign body (IOFB) treated with or without pars plana vitrectomy are reported. With the mean follow-up time of 30.0 months (median 22.8 months) 10 eyes (11%) were enucleated and another 17% became blind (visual acuity less than 0.05). The enucleation rate was considerably decreased and the visual outcome improved as compared with previous studies in Finland. The visual outcome was affected unfavourably by posterior location of the perforation, blunt injury, prolapse of intraocular tissue and poor initial visual acuity. There was no significant difference in the visual outcome between eyes with posterior segment IOFBs treated with or without vitrectomy. In the posterior perforation group the visual outcome was slightly better in eyes in which vitrectomy was performed (P = 0.336), and early vitrectomy within 1 week gave best visual results (P = 0.692). In 79% of the non-enucleated eyes the retina was attached. The anatomic success rate was similar regardless of the timing of vitrectomy.     

Managing a dropped nucleus during the phacoemulsification learning curve

Three patients had a pars plana vitrectomy to remove retained nuclei within 72 hours after phacoemulsification performed by a surgeon making the transition from extra-capsular cataract extraction to phacoemulsification. After vitrectomy, the nuclei were brought to the midvitreous cavity from the retinal surface with a posterior segment phacofragmenter, emulsified, and completely removed. Then, a posterior chamber intraocular lens was implanted in the sulcus through the previous cataract surgery incision and remained well centered postoperatively. Postoperative complications included cystoid macular edema in 1 patient and choroidal detachment in another. No other complications were detected. Final visual acuity ranged from 20/60 to 20/30.     

眼球后段球内异物的处置

目的：评价常用的三种处置眼球后段异物的方法,对其效果及影响因素进行分析。方法：对行眼球后段异物取出的８２例（８３只眼）住院患者进行回顾性研究。结果：三组手术方式中异物一次取出率以玻切组最高（９６９％）,三组术后视力均较术前增加。结论：根据异物的性质、球内位置及并发症采取恰当的手术方式,对于成功取出异物,避免手术并发症非常重要。玻切对于取非磁性异物、嵌入视网膜内异物,及处置异物造成的严重并发症较外路组有明显的优越性     

Vitrectomy for diabetic macular edema: the role of posterior vitreous detachment and epimacular membrane

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy on eyes with diabetic macular edema in the presence or absence of a complete posterior vitreous detachment and with or without an epimacular membrane. METHODS: Pars plana vitrectomy was performed on 30 eyes of 29 cases with diabetic macular edema. Visual acuity was measured, and retinal thickness was determined by optical coherence tomography before and after vitrectomy. To evaluate the relationship between the effects of vitrectomy and the presence or absence of posterior vitreous detachment and/or epimacular membrane, all eyes were placed into one of four groups: group A, eyes with posterior vitreous detachment and epimacular membrane; B, eyes with posterior vitreous detachment and without epimacular membrane; C, eyes without posterior vitreous detachment and with epimacular membrane; and D, eyes without posterior vitreous detachment and without epimacular membrane. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-6 was investigated immunohistochemically in epimacular membrane specimens obtained from seven eyes with diffuse diabetic macular edema. RESULTS: The postoperative mean visual acuity (0.653 +/- 0.350: mean +/- SD logarithm of minimal angle of resolution [logMAR]) was significantly better than the mean preoperative visual acuity (0.891 +/- 0.319 logMAR; Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P =.0007). The postoperative foveal thickness (264.5 +/- 118.6 microm) was significantly thinner than the preoperative foveal thickness (477.8 +/- 147.7 microm; Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P <.0001). There were no significant differences in the improvement of visual acuity and decrease of foveal thickness between the four groups (Kruskal-Wallis test, P =.13, P =.65, respectively). All of the epimacular membranes obtained at surgery expressed vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-6. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that vitrectomy with removal of epimacular membrane is generally an effective procedure in reducing diabetic macular edema, and the outcome does not depend on the presence absence of posterior vitreous detachment and epimacular membrane.     

Retinal detachment rate after vitrectomy for retained lens material after phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To report the rate of retinal detachment after vitrectomy for retained intravitreal lens material after phacoemulsification using specific vitrectomy techniques designed to minimize retinal detachment. DESIGN: Consecutive, interventional case series. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 100 consecutive eyes (one surgeon) of 100 patients undergoing vitrectomy for retained lens material after phacoemulsification and followed up for 3 months or longer unless an outcome event had occurred. Vitrectomy techniques employed to minimize the frequency of retinal detachment included inducing posterior vitreous detachment with maximal vitreous removal before phacofragmentation to avoid vitreous trauma, lens fragment debulking before fragmentation, use of low energy with high aspiration during removal of retained lens material, and intraoperative indirect ophthalmoscopic evaluation of the retinal periphery with scleral indentation to diagnose and treat intraoperative retinal breaks. The main outcome measures included prevalence of coexisting retinal detachment in eyes with retained lens material, incidence of retinal detachment or retinal breaks after vitrectomy for removal of retained lens material, and final visual acuity. RESULTS: The prevalence of previtrectomy retinal detachment was 4%; the incidence of postvitrectomy retinal detachment was 4%; the final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 53%. One patient had a retinal break recognized during vitrectomy and was treated with retinocryopexy, but postoperative retinal detachment developed from a separate break. Three others were treated during vitrectomy for retinal breaks (including two with known preexisting breaks) and did not have any retinal detachment. Poor previtrectomy visual acuity (hand motions) was a risk factor for postvitrectomy retinal detachment. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of retinal detachment reported after vitrectomy for retained lens material after phacoemulsification can be minimized to approximately the rate expected with cataract extraction complicated by vitreous loss by employing standard surgical techniques. Higher risk eyes may benefit from more frequent postvitrectomy examinations.     

Combined cataract surgery and vitrectomy for recurrent retinal detachment

PURPOSE: To report our experience with combined cataract surgery, posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation, and pars plana vitrectomy in the management of recurrent retinal detachment (RD) and visually significant cataract. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients with cataract and recurrent RD who underwent combined cataract extraction, posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation, and pars plana vitrectomy between January 1991 and September 1998 at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Sixteen eyes were included. All eyes had visually significant cataract and had undergone primary repair of the RD with encircling scleral buckle; eight eyes also had undergone pars plana vitrectomy during the primary repair. The technique of cataract extraction included phacoemulsification (10 eyes), extracapsular cataract extraction (5 eyes), and pars plana lensectomy (1 eye). All eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy, membrane peeling, fluid-air exchange, endolaser treatment, and placement of a retinal tamponade. Perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas was used in 14 eyes, and silicone oil was placed in two eyes. RESULTS: The postoperative follow-up interval ranged from 4 to 64 months (mean, 16 months). Preoperative visual acuity ranged from 20/60 to hand motions and was better than 20/200 in 3 (19%) eyes. Postoperatively, 9 (56%) eyes improved to better than 20/200. Anatomic success was achieved after the initial reoperation in 13 (81 %) eyes. With further surgery, the overall success rate was 94%. CONCLUSIONS: Combined cataract surgery, posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation, and pars plana vitrectomy in selected patients with cataract and recurrent RD was successful in improving visual acuity and achieving retinal reattachment in most of these reoperated patients.     

Management of surgically dislocated intravitreal lens fragments by pars plana vitrectomy.

We examined 26 eyes (19 of them following phacoemulsification) with surgically dislocated intravitreal lens fragments; 24 eyes were subsequently operated on using pars plana vitrectomy for removal of lens fragments. From this select group of patients we found moderate to severe uveitis, glaucoma, and vitreous opacification present in virtually all cases. Less common complications were retinal detachments (six cases) and bullous keratopathy; the latter problem was found most commonly in eyes subjected to anterior segment maneuvers such as the use of lens loops or vitreous irrigation for removal of the lens material. Pars plana vitrectomy proved an excellent method for removal of lens fragments. A simultaneous two-instrument technique using the Wilson foreign-body forceps and the vitrectomy machine facilitated removal of the denser sclerotic lens fragments. This procedure resulted in resolution of the uveitis and glaucoma with improvement in visual acuity in 20 of the 24 eyes. However, only 10 of the 24 patients operated on obtained 20/40 or better visual acuity. A relatively prompt pars plana vitrectomy in eyes subjected to a minimum of surgical trauma yielded the best visual results.     

Phacoemulsification in eyes with past pars plana vitrectomy: case-control study

PURPOSE: To determine intraoperative and postoperative complications and outcomes of phacoemulsification of cataract in eyes that had previous pars plana vitrectomy. SETTING: University-based anterior segment disease referral practice. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study of a surgical series of 52 consecutive postvitrectomy cataract extractions statistically compared with control eyes from the same practice. RESULTS: Cataract extraction followed vitrectomy by 2 months to 6 years (mean 19 months). Cataracts with a posterior subcapsular component were seen more frequently in postvitrectomy eyes (58% versus 25% in control eyes). Cataract extraction after pars plana vitrectomy was often more challenging than in control eyes. Challenges included unstable posterior capsules, loose zonules, and posterior capsule plaque. Postoperative posterior capsule opacification (PCO) was more common in study than in control eyes (51% versus 21%; P = .002), especially if expandable gas or silicone oil had been used at vitrectomy. Visual acuity improved in 87% of study eyes, with 46% achieving a visual acuity of 20/40 or better. In study eyes in which the indication for vitrectomy was macular hole or epiretinal membrane, nuclear sclerosis was the most common cataract type, no intraoperative complications occurred, the PCO rate was low (13%), and visual acuity was better (73% 20/40 or better) than in the other study eyes. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification after pars plana vitrectomy can be performed with a low complication rate and with good visual results, although limited by underlying retinal disease. Posterior capsule opacification requiring neodymium: YAG capsulotomy was common in this series.