Analysis of factors associated with post-vitrectomy cataract formation in phakic patients undergoing vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Introductions and objectives: This study assesses risk factors for developing cataracts after vitrectomy with tamponade for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in phakic patients and explores the potencial causal relationship between RRD surgery and the development of cataracts.

Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study analysing the medical records of patients undergoing RRD surgery between 2012 and 2020 (9 years) at Donostia University Hospital (HUD). We collected data on the date of phacoemulsification surgery after vitrectomy surgery for RRD, as well as the type of vitrectomy and patient characteristics.

Results: Patients who underwent cataract surgery were on average older (mean age of 60.79 years old ± 9.49) than those who did not undergo this type of surgery during follow-up (52.97 years old ± 13.59), the difference being statistically significant (0P < .0001). Classifying patients by age at the date of the vitrectomy (≤50 years or >50 years of age), we found between-group differences in phacoemulsification rates after vitrectomy in the follow-up period, cataract surgery being performed in a third of the younger group and three-quarters of the older group (P < .0001).

Conclusions: Patients with phakic RRD under 50 years old have a lower risk of cataract development after vitrectomy with tamponade than those over 50 years old. The use of long-acting tamponade gases such as C3F8 and silicone oil in phakic patients seems to increase the likelihood of needing early cataract surgery after RRD surgery with PPV.