Cataract Surgery in Short Eyes, Including Nanophthalmos: Visual Outcomes, Complications and Refractive Results

BACKGROUND: To report the visual outcomes, complications and refractive results of phacoemulsification surgery and intraocular lens implantation in a large series of adult patients with short and nanophthalmic eyes. METHODS: The records of all patients with axial length <21.0 mm undergoing phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation at an adult teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The main outcome measures were corrected distance visual acuity and refraction at 90 days after surgery and intra- and postoperative complications occurring during the follow-up period. RESULTS: A total of 71 eyes of 51 patients (median age 71 years, interquartile range 62–75.5) were included. Surgery resulted in an improvement in corrected distance visual acuity in 53 eyes (74.6%) (95% confidence interval, logMAR 0.11–0.29) and was logMAR 0.30 or better in 47 eyes (66.2%). Worsening of corrected distance visual acuity occurred in 9 eyes (12.7%). Median postoperative refractive error was −0.75 dioptres. SRK/T and Kane formula were more accurate in predicting postoperative refraction than Barrett Universal II and Hoffer Q when based on mean absolute error (P < 0.005). Complications occurred in 18 eyes (25.4%). The most frequent complications were iris prolapse, Descemet’s membrane and/or endothelial trauma, transient severe corneal edema and cystoid macular edema. There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates between senior surgeons and senior trainees (P = 0.66). CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery in short and nanophthalmic eyes is challenging with a higher complication rate than routine cataract surgery, but frequently results in good visual outcomes. Postoperative refractive outcomes are more difficult to predict in this cohort.