Comparing phacoemulsification and extracapsular cataract extraction in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, small pupil, and phacodonesis

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare the frequency of intraoperative and postoperative complications between the modern phacoemulsification technique and the extracapsular cataract extraction technique in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized study comprised 94 eyes with cataract, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, small pupil and slight to moderate phacodonesis. These eyes were randomly assigned into two groups. In the first group all patients (47 eyes) were operated on using a standard phacoemulsification technique (iris hooks, anterior capsule staining and capsular tension ring after capsulorhexis), while in the second group all patients (47 eyes) underwent a classic extracapsular cataract extraction. The main outcome measures were the frequency of intraoperative zonular tears, capsular rupture, vitreous loss and corneal edema, as well as the best-corrected visual acuity. RESULTS: Intraoperative zonular separation was recorded in one eye (2.1 %) and in 15 eyes (31.9 %) for the first and second groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Posterior capsule rupture with or without zonular separation occurred in two eyes (4.2 %) of the first group and in eight eyes (17.0 %) of the second group (P < 0.05). Vitreous loss also had a higher rate in the second group (17.0 % versus 4.2 %, P < 0.05). The postoperative difference in best-corrected visual acuity was also significant between the two groups, being higher in patients operated on using phacoemulsification technique (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the difficult cases of cataract associated with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, small pupil and phacodonesis, the modern small-incision cataract surgery provides better results with a low rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications when compared with the extracapsular cataract extraction technique.