Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy of phacoemulsification of primary cataract by the second stage after vitreoretinal surgery of PDR patients. Material and methods. 124 cases of surgery treatment of patients with PDR and complicated primary cataract were enrolled. Thier patients were divided into two groups depending on the treatment tactics. In the 1st group patients were subjected to a two–step surgical procedure: vitreoretinal surgery with silicone oil tamponade performed as the 1st step in their treatment; followed by the 2d step, phacoemulsification surgery and silicone oil removal, and the IOL implantation, respectively. In the 2d group phacoemulsification performed simultaneously with vitreoretinal surgery: phacoemulsification, IOL implantation, vitreoretinal surgery with silicone oil tamponade. The second step differed in the removal of silicone oil from the vitreous cavity. Results. In the long-term postoperative period, functional results were better in group I patients than in group II patients (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Outcomes of the preliminary studies suggest that it is more viable to perform phacoemulsification surgery sometime later along with silicone oil removal on PDR patients with complicated primary cataract. This sequence of treatment procedure ensures a more gentle approach to the anatomic structures of the eye during the first stage (vitreoretinal surgery) and contributes to the reduction in the number of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Keywords: diabetic retinopathy, cataract, vitreoretinal surgery
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