Cataractogenesis and surgical outcome in patients with uveitis

Purpose To compare the risk of cataract development, the surgical management and the prevalence of complications in 2 groups of patients with uveitis treated in 2000 and 2010. Methods Retrospective study of patients with uveitis referred to an academic centre for the diagnosis and treatment of uveitis. An extensive work‐up based on clinical presentation was performed when necessary. Corticosteroids were the mainstay of therapy in 2000 but new immunosuppressive molecules and biologics were used in 2010. Two groups were analyzed based on the year of cataract surgery (group A:2000 and group B:2010). Demographic factors, delay between onset of uveitis and cataract surgery, improvement of visual acuity and major complications were studied. Phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were performed in all cases respecting a 3‐month quiescence of uveitis and an efficient perioperative anti‐inflammatory regimen. Results The study included 125 eyes of 107 patients. 59 eyes (48 patients: F/M: 1.29) were operated in 2000 (group A) and 66 (59 patients: F/M: 1.5) in 2010 (group B). An associated condition was determined in 81 cases (75.5 %): mainly herpetic uveitis (9), sarcoidosis (7), tuberculosis (10), birdshot chorioretinopathy (7), Behcet's disease (8), spondyloarthropathy (10), Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada disease (5), Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis (8). Delay between onset of uveitis and surgery was 58.86 months in group A and 111.68 months in group B (p