Zonular instability in patients with pseudoexfoliative syndrome: the analysis of 1000 consecutive phacoemulsifications

Abstract

Phacoemulsification (PHACO) is the gold standard of cataract surgery. Сataract surgery in eyes with pseudoexfoliative (PEX) syndrome is associated with increased risk of intra- and postoperative complications. Zonular laxity is one of the main causes of surgical complications. Purpose. To assess the degree of zonular weakness in patients with PEX. Materials and methods. 1010 eyes (580 eyes with PEX and 430 eyes without it) that underwent consecutive PHACO at the Ophthalmology Department No 5 of the City Multifunctional Hospital No 2 from May 2016 until October 2017 were enrolled in the study. The zonular laxity was assessed preoperatively and intraoperatively. Results. Zonular weakness was observed more often in patients with PEX, both at preoperative and intraoperative evaluation (p 0.05). However, in both groups, the percentage of zonular weakness estimated intraoperatively, was several times higher, than that estimated preoperatively. Nevertheless there was no difference in the rate of capsular bag related intraoperative complications between two groups.