Outcomes of cataract surgery in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration in the era of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the visual outcomes, choroidal neovascular complex status, and adverse events in patients with visually significant cataract and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who had cataract surgery. Setting: Private practices, Beverly Hills, California, and New London, Connecticut, USA. Design: Case series. Methods: Data were abstracted from the medical records of patients with neovascular AMD treated by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy who had cataract surgery. The main outcome measures were Snellen corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), perioperative adverse events, and status of the choroidal neovascular complex. Results: The study enrolled 30 eyes of 28 patients. The CDVA was 20/40 or better in 10% of eyes preoperatively and 40% postoperatively; 20/50 to 20/100 in 53% and 33%, respectively; and 20/200 or worse in 37% and 27%, respectively. The change in CDVA from preoperatively to postoperatively was statistically significant, with a mean change of 0.22 logMAR ± 0.27 (SD) at 2 months (P