Liquefied after cataract and its surgical treatment.

ABSTRACT

Aims: To describe liquefi ed after cataract (LAC) and its surgical management following an uneventful phacoemulsifi cation with posterior chamber in-the-bag intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis (CCC). Design: Interventional case series. Materials and Methods: Eleven patients with LAC, following uneventful phacoemulsifi cation with CCC and in-the-bag IOL implantation were enrolled. After the basic slit lamp examination, each case was investigated with Scheimpfl ug photography and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). Each case was treated with capsular lavage. Biochemical composition of the milky fl uid was evaluated and ring of anterior capsular opacity (ACO) was examined under electron microscope. Results: All 11 cases presented with blurring of vision after 6-8 years of cataract surgery with IOL implantation. All cases had IOL microvacuoles, 360° anterior capsule, and anterior IOL surface touch along with ACO, ring of Soemmering, and posterior capsule distension fi lled with opalescent milky fl uid with whitish fl oppy or crystalline deposits. Biochemically, the milky fl uid contained protein (800 mg/dl), albumin (100 mg/dl), sugar (105 mg/dl), and calcium (0.13%) and was bacteriologically sterile. Histologically, the dissected ACO showed fi brous tissue. All cases were successfully treated with capsular lavage with good visual recovery and with no complication. There was no recurrence of LAC during 2 years postoperative follow-up in any of the cases. Conclusions: LAC is a late complication of standard cataract surgery. It may be a spectrum of capsular bag distension syndrome (CBDS) without shallow anterior chamber and secondary glaucoma. Capsular bag lavage is a simple and eff ective treatment for LAC and a safe alternative to neodymium-doped y􀄴 rium aluminum garnet (Nd-YAG) capsulotomy.