New approach to managing vitreous loss and dislocated lens fragments during phacoemulsification

Abstract

I performed a one-port pars plana vitrectomy during phacoemulsification to manage vitreous loss with and without posterior dislocation of lens fragments in nine consecutive cases. I used a 1 mm vitrectomy instrument with an infusion sleeve for the vitrectomy; the coaxial light of the microscope and an infusion contact lens held on the cornea provided intraocular illumination. Eight of the nine cases achieved a visual acuity equal to or better than 20/25 after a mean follow-up of 5.7 months. One patient's visual acuity was 20/70 because of severe background diabetic retinopathy.