Initial diagnosis

The diagnosis is most often noted by the cataract surgeon performing the cataract surgery. Information that may be helpful to the vitreoretinal surgeon performing the secondary lensectomy includes the amount and type of retained lens material, any maneuvers performed in an attempt to retrieve them, the hardness of the lens, the presence or absence of an intraocular lens (IOL), and the amount of capsular support.

Initial diagnostic examination

The cataract incision should be identified and evaluated for leakage. The intraocular pressure should be assessed, because secondary glaucoma is present in about 50% of patients. Corneal edema may be present as early as the first postoperative day and may result in difficulty visualizing posterior pathology. The application of topical glycerin ophthalmic solution and the reduction of an elevated intraocular pressure may be effective in temporarily reducing corneal edema and facilitating anterior segment and fundus examinations. Anterior chamber inflammation can range from mild cell and flare to a severe fibrinous reaction simulating infectious endophthalmitis¹⁸. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy and gonioscopy may identify small lens fragments in the anterior chamber angle¹⁹.

Visualization of the crystaline lens or lens fragments within the vitreous cavity by indirect ophthalmoscopy confirms the diagnosis. Cortical material appears white and fluffy (Fig. 67.1), and nuclear material appears yellowish-brown and has sharper borders, unless it is surrounded by cortex (Fig. 67.2). The examination should include indirect ophthalmoscopic examination of the peripheral retina, specifically looking for retinal tears, retinal detachment, and serous or hemorrhagic choroidal effusions. These complications are more likely to occur if the cataract surgeon has attempted to extract posterior lens fragments by irrigation or insertion of instruments into the posterior vitreous^20,21.

Fig. 67.1 Fundus photograph illustrating retained lens cortex in the mid vitreous following cataract surgery.

Fig. 67.2 Fundus photograph illustrating a crystalline lens nucleus with surrounding cortex that is posteriorly dislocated as a complication of cataract surgery.

Ancillary testing

Corneal edema

Approximately 50% of eyes with retained lens fragments present with corneal edema or corneal decompensation^2,5,22–27. This probably results from a combination of surgical trauma, prolonged phacoemulsification times related to the complicated cataract removal, intraocular inflammation, and increased intraocular pressure. Fortunately, the corneal edema is usually transient and resolves with conservative treatment in the majority of affected eyes. Less commonly, retained nuclear fragments sequestered in the anterior chamber may traumatize the corneal endothelium and cause substantial corneal edema and reduced visual acuity, which is reversible following surgical removal of the fragments¹⁹. Approximately 3–10% of eyes with retained lens material will develop chronic corneal decompensation and bullous keratopathy that requires penetrating keratoplasty^2,12,23.

Uveitis

An inflammatory response to retained lens fragments occurs in 56–87% of eyes with retained lens material^2,22,23. Initially, the affected eye may appear quiet, with severe inflammation not developing until weeks later¹⁸. Treatment with topical cycloplegic agents and corticosteroids should be instituted preoperatively. Rarely, the uveitis may be so severe that it is clinically confused with infectious endophthalmitis¹⁸.

Glaucoma

Secondary glaucoma occurs in approximately 40–50% of eyes with retained lens material^{2,22–24,26,27}. The elevation in intraocular pressure may result from lens fragments, heavy molecular weight soluble lens proteins, and macrophages which obstruct the trabecular meshwork^28–30. A steroid-induced elevation in intraocular pressure may be the responsible mechanism in some eyes, creating a confusing clinical picture. Removal of the lens particles usually results in resolution of the secondary glaucoma³¹. However, as many as one-third of eyes with retained lens fragments treated by vitrectomy and lensectomy demonstrate a persistence of mildly elevated intraocular pressure that requires chronic treatment⁵.

Retinal detachment

Cataract surgery complicated by vitreous loss is associated with a 5% incidence of retinal detachment at 4 years, which is four to five times greater than the risk following uncomplicated cataract surgery³². In eyes with retained lens fragments, the incidence of retinal detachment is even greater, affecting from 3.8% to 23% of eyes^{2,12,23,26,33–35}. About one-half of the retinal detachments are recognized prior to, or during, vitrectomy and one-half develop postoperatively^2,33,34. The development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy may be more common in eyes with retained lens material, requiring the use of silicone oil for repair and limiting the final visual acuity². Although retinal detachment occurs in the minority of eyes with retained lens material, it is the most common identifiable cause of reduced postoperative visual acuity in several studies^22,25,33.

Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis may occur concomitantly with retained lens fragments after phacoemulsification^23,36. B-scan ultrasonography has proven useful in demonstrating the size and type of retained lens material in eyes with endophthalmitis and opaque media³⁶. Eyes with retained lens fragments and suspected endophthalmitis should be managed with immediate injection of intravitreal antibiotics in conjunction with pars plana vitrectomy and lensectomy or vitreous tap³⁶. The decision of whether or not to perform pars plana lensectomy should be based on the indications for eyes with retained lens material without endophthalmitis. Although 50% of patients with retained lens fragments have been reported to have positive vitreous cultures, routine vitreous cultures are not recommended because they do not identify eyes at risk for endophthalmitis or influence the clinical management³⁷.