Commentary: Cataract surgery in retinitis pigmentosa

Purpose. To determine the effects of cataract surgery on contrast visual acuity and retinal sensitivity in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. Methods. Retinal sensitivity and contrast visual acuity were determined by microperimetry (MAIA) and contrast sensitivity acuity tester (CAT-CP), respectively, before and after cataract surgery. The significance of the correlations between visual acuity, retinal sensitivity, contrast visual acuity, improvements after surgery, and macular structure before and after cataract surgery was determined. Results. Retinal sensitivity and contrast visual acuity were significantly improved after cataract surgery. The correlations among postoperative visual acuity, postoperative retinal sensitivities, and preoperative ellipsoid zone length were significant. The postoperative retinal sensitivity of the central 10° and the ellipsoid zone length was particularly significantly correlated. Preoperative contrast visual acuity and the amount of improvement and preoperative retinal sensitivity and the amount of improvement were significantly negatively correlated. The contrast visual acuity under both the 100% and 10% photopic and mesopic conditions improved significantly after cataract surgery. Conclusions. Cataract surgery in retinitis pigmentosa patients with preserved ellipsoid zones significantly improved retinal sensitivity and contrast visual acuity. Cataract surgery can be expected to improve retinal sensitivity and contrast visual acuity under various conditions, even if preoperative visual parameters are low, as long as the ellipsoid zone is preserved.

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Long-term Clinical Outcomes of Cataract Surgery in Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society ◽

10.3341/jkos.2021.62.7.931 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 62 (7) ◽

pp. 931-938

Author(s):

Ji Hyun Yoon ◽

Jong Woo Kim ◽

Chul Gu Kim ◽

Jae Hui Kim

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Retinitis Pigmentosa ◽

Cataract Surgery ◽

Macular Edema ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Cystoid Macular Edema ◽

Final Visit ◽

Short Term ◽

The Mean

Purpose: The long-term clinical outcomes of cataract surgery in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) were evaluated. Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed for patients who were diagnosed with RP and underwent cataract surgery. Preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was compared with BCVA at 1 month postoperatively and at the final visit. The proportion of patients with cystoid macular edema development or aggravation after surgery was evaluated, as was the proportion of patients with intraocular lens subluxation/dislocation. For patients who underwent optical coherence tomography, factors associated with a BCVA of 0.5 or better at 1 month were analyzed. Results: In total, 133 eyes were included and the mean follow-up period was 58.7 months. The mean logarithm of minimal angle of resolution BCVA was 0.69 ± 0.65 at diagnosis. The BCVA was significantly improved to 0.51 ± 0.47 at 1 month postoperatively (p < 0.001). However, the BCVA at the final visit (0.70 ± 0.81) was similar to the baseline value (p = 1.000). Cystoid macular edema development or aggravation was noted in 8 eyes (6.0%) and intraocular lens subluxation/dislocation was noted in 4 eyes (3.0%). A subgroup analysis involving 108 eyes revealed that preoperative BCVA (p < 0.001) and ellipsoid zone status (p = 0.001) were associated with postoperative visual acuity. Conclusions: Short-term outcomes of cataract surgery in patients with RP were comparatively good. However, long-term visual deterioration was noted with disease progression. Preoperative BCVA and ellipsoid zone status are useful markers for predicting short-term visual outcomes.

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