# Risk factors for posterior capsule opacification following phacovitrectomy: a six-year retrospective analysis

## TL;DR

This study identifies risk factors for posterior capsule opacification after combined cataract and vitrectomy surgery, finding that intraocular lens type, retinal disease, and diabetes increase the need for corrective laser treatment.

## Contribution

The study provides novel insights into how intraocular lens type and patient-specific factors influence posterior capsule opacification risk after phacovitrectomy.

## Key findings

- One hydrophilic acrylic IOL showed significantly lower YAG-CT incidence compared to other IOL types.
- Retinal diseases like epiretinal membranes and retinal detachment were strongly associated with increased YAG-CT incidence.
- Type 2 diabetes was found to significantly increase the risk of requiring YAG-CT after surgery.

## Abstract

To study risk factors for Nd:YAG capsulotomy (YAG-CT) due to visually disturbing posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after combined cataract surgery and vitrectomy, phaco-vitrectomy (PhV).

Single-center retrospective comparative cohort study. We included 196 patients (197 eyes) undergoing PhV. Electronic medical records provided baseline patient data, data on indication for vitrectomy, surgery data including intra-ocular lens (IOL) type, complications, and YAG-CT incidence during 6-year follow-up after PhV. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses assessed associations of various factors with YAG-CT incidence.

Fifty-four eyes (27.41%) underwent YAG-CT during the follow-up period. One of the three hydrophilic acrylic IOLs showed the lowest YAG-CT incidence. Adjusted Odds Ratios (aORs) for YAG-CT were significantly higher for the hydrophobic acrylic IOL (aOR = 5.85, p < .05), and the two other hydrophilic acrylic IOLs (aOR = 29.0, p < 0.001 and aOR = 79.4, p < 0.001). Compared with PhV for macular hole, PhV for epiretinal membranes (aOR = 9.9, p < 0.01), retinal detachment (aOR = 25.4, p < 0.01), and silicon oil removal (aOR = 22.4, p < 0.05) correlated with higher YAG-CT incidence. Type 2 diabetes correlated with increased YAG-CT incidence (aOR = 6.7, p < 0.01).

IOL type is a key factor in development of visually disturbing PCO after phacovitrectomy. One hydrophilic acrylic IOL outperformed other examined IOLs in reducing YAG-CT incidence after PhV. Retinal disease, as well as type 2 diabetes, correlated with YAG-CT, and should motivate a choice of an IOL type associated with a low YAG-CT incidence for PhV.