Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome and intraoperative complications in cataract surgery

Abstract

Conventional wisdom holds that pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) leads to an increased risk during cataract surgery with regard to zonular dialysis, rupture of the posterior capsule and luxation of the lens into the vitreous as a consequence of insufficient zonules. The present study is focused on the impact of pseudoexfoliation syndrome on the outcome of cataract surgery. We included in a prospective study 1210 patients which underwent cataract surgery (phacoemulsification) and implantation of a posterior chamber lens in our department from October 1997 until June 1999. The course of surgery, relevant associated diagnoses, and intraoperative complications are described. The patients were divided in a PEX-group and non-PEX-group. There was no difference in the percentage of glaucoma patients between the PEX-group (16.2%) and non-PEX group (17.7%). There were statistically significant more women in the PEX-group and the average age was higher. Intraoperative complications, such as rupture of the posterior capsule, zonular dialysis and displacement of the lens into the vitreous body were similar in the two groups. This present study shows, that modern cataract surgery makes it possible to achieve good operative results, even in risk patients. Preoperative presence of PEX had no influence on the complication rate of cataract surgery.