PURPOSE

A retrospective analysis of the results of surgical treatment of complicated uveal cataracts of different origin.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study analyzed the results of surgical treatment of uveal cataract in 30 patients (34 eyes) who were divided into three groups by uveitis etiology. The first group included 11 patients with spondyloarthritis associated with the HLA-B27 antigen; the second group included 10 patients with juvenile chronic arthritis and spondyloarthritis, negative for HLA-B27 antigen; the third group consisted of 9 patients with other systemic autoimmune diseases and uveitis of unknown etiology, also negative for the HLA-B27 antigen. The average age of the patients was 35.8±2.6; 30.8±3.8 and 34.0±2.3 years, respectively. Four patients (6 eyes) with juvenile chronic arthritis and severe ribbon-like corneal degeneration underwent standard intracapsular cataract cryoextraction with subsequent spectacle correction of aphakia. In other cases, ultrasound phacoemulsification with implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) was used as a surgical aid.

RESULTS

Regardless of the surgery technique and the cause of uveal cataract, a statistically significant decrease in the number of exacerbations per year (p<0.0001) and an increase in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were noted after its removal. In the long-term follow-up (2—24 months), 9 patients experienced persistent decompensation of the IOP level, which required various types of antiglaucoma surgery.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment of uveal cataracts of various etiologies with adequate pre- and postoperative therapy provides an improvement in visual acuity and a reduction in the frequency of inflammation recurrence. Considering the high likelihood of IOP decompensation in the long-term postoperative period, IOP control should be given attention in such cases.