PPV and cataract surgery significantly improve VA

Extensive pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and cataract extraction can significantly improve visual acuity (VA) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients suffering from severe ocular complications of uveitis.

According to a study published in Ophthalmologica, instead of a complete lensectomy, 11 eyes of 7 patients underwent complete vitrectomy and peeling of the inner limiting membrane. Patients were included in the study if they had anteroposterior segment involvement, hypotony, inflammation control of less than 3 months, compliance issues, or rapidly progressive disease; phacoemulsification was allowed if the patient was more than 6 years old and had been inflammation-free for more than 3 months.

The researchers found that VA improved from a logMAR of 1.48 to 0.37 at 6 months and 0.20 at 12 months. No flare-up was observed within the first 6 months. Between 7 and 19 months 5 eyes developed inflammation, and at a median of 16 months glaucoma developed in 5 eyes. None of the patients in the study developed cystoid macular oedema.

To read an abstract of the study, click here.