The incidence of cataract increases after vitrectomy, and phacoemulsification is a challenge in the cataract eyes following vitrectomy due to the change of ocular anatomy. To analyze the intraoperative complications of phacoemulsification in vitrectomized eyes is significant.

This study was to analyze the intraoperative complications of phacoemulsification in vitrectomized eyes.

The clinical data of 200 eyes of 193 patients who received phacoemulsification were retrospectively analyzed in Affiliated Second Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2011 to November 2013. Included eyes were grouped to the vitrectomized group and the non-vitrectomy group based on with or without previous pars plana vitrectomy, and then the patients in the vitrectomized group were subgrouped to the silicone oil eye group and the non-silicone oil eye group. The incidence of intraoperative complications of phacoemulsification surgery were compared between different groups. Written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to any eye surgery.

The incidence rates of posterior capsule rupture, suspensory ligament relaxation, pupil contraction and poor elasticity of iris were 7.84%, 3.92%, 1.96% and 1.96% in the vitrectomized group, and those in the non-vitrectomy group were 5.37%, 0.67%, 7.38% and 1.34%, without significant differences between the two groups (P=0.506, 0.160, 0.303, 1.000). The complications of mentioned above in turn were 0.00%, 3.57%, 3.57% and 3.57% in the silicon oil group and 17.39%, 4.35%, 0.00% and 0.00% in the without silicon oil group, showing an increased rate in posterior capsule rupture in the silicon oil group, but no significant difference in the total incidence between the two groups (P=0.442). The total incidence rate in the non-vitrectomy group was 14.77%, and that in the silicon oil eye group was 10.71%, and that in the without silicon oil eye group was 21.74%, no significant differences were found between the non-vitrectomy group and the silicon oil eye group or the without silicon oil eye group (P=0.770, 0.392). However, there were no cases of iris and choroidal hemorrhage.

Phacoemulsification surgery in cataract eyes after vitrectomy do not increase the intraoperative complication. However, without silicone eye after vitrectomy increases the danger of posterior capsule rupture during phacoemulsification surgery.

Vitretomy/complications; Cataract/surgery; Phacoemulsification/complications; Lens; Posterior capsule rupture