The quantitative assessment of alterations in lens transparency after transconjunctival 27-gauge microincision vitrectomy surgery

Purpose To evaluate the baseline and post-vitrectomy lens densitometry values by a Scheimpflug camera in eyes with epiretinal membrane that were treated with 27-G microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) without tamponade and to compare the results with those in fellow healthy eyes. Patients and methods Prospective case series. The lens densitometry measurements of 24 patients, who underwent 27-G MIVS without any tamponade for the treatment of epiretinal membrane, were taken preoperatively and on the first week, first month, and third month postoperatively with Pentacam HR-Scheimpflug imaging system. Results The mean lens densitometry values at Zone 1 and average lens densitometry values significantly increased in the study eyes on the first month when compared with the preoperative values ( P =0.011, P =0.033, respectively). Additionally, there were statistically significant differences regarding the mean lens densitometry values of Zone 1 and Zone 2, and also average lens densitometry values between the preoperative and third month postoperative values ( P =0.003, P =0.021, P =0.009, respectively). However, the densitometry values of fellow eyes were similar at preoperatively and all the postoperative follow-up periods ( P >0.05 for all). Conclusions This study suggests that 27-G MIVS might cause post-surgical lens density changes even in early postoperative months and vitreous may play an important role in protecting the transparency of the lens.