Fifty consecutive cases of transconjunctival sutureless 23-gauge vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate safety and effectiveness of combined 23-gauge vitrectomy and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for eyes with vitreoretinal conditions and progressed cataract. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 50 previously nonvitrectomized eyes of 50 patients with various vitreoretinal conditions and cataract affecting visual acuity. They underwent combined surgery with sutureless transconjunctival 23-gauge vitrectomy and phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. Surgical indications were a progressed cataract with various retinal conditions. RESULTS: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 0.23 (range: 0.125 to 0.32; standard deviation [SD]: 0.08) to 0.48 (range: 0.32 to 0.8; SD: 0.16). Spherical equivalent changed from 0.50 to 0.08 diopters. Cataract surgery mean time was 10.46 minutes, vitrectomy mean opening time was 1.1 minutes, and mean vitrectomy procedure time varied widely depending on the type of retinal surgery (20.06 minutes; range: 5 to 55; SD: 11.10). At 1 week, relative hypotony was found in 12% and hypotony was found in 4%. There was no hypotony 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Transconjunctival 23-gauge vitrectomy with phacoemulsification with IOL implantation appears effective with an acceptable safety profile for patients with cataract with simultaneous retinal diseases.