Ophthalmology Research: An International Journal

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and intraoperative difficulties associated with pseudoexfoliation (PXF) syndrome at a tertiary eye care center in Garhwal Himalayan region. Methods: This study included patients scheduled for cataract surgery who were diagnosed with PXF syndrome. All patients had gone through a complete ophthalmologic evaluation, including slit-lamp examination, tonometry, gonioscopy, and ophthalmoscopy prior to the surgery. Cataract surgeries were done by a single surgeon who reported the intra-operative difficulties. Results: In total, 424 phakic eyes of 934 patients were evaluated, 126 of whom (22.1%) were diagnosed with PXF syndrome. Most eyes (n = 81, 35.8%) with PXF syndrome were ≥81 years old. Eighty-six eyes (38.1%) had bilateral involvement, whereas 70 (30.9%) had right or left eye involvement. Further, PXF material was distributed on the iris, pupil, and lens in 70 eyes (30.9%) and on the pupillary margin in 36 eyes (15.9%). The mean pupillary dilation was 5.1 (±1.4) mm in patients with PXF syndrome compared with 7.2 (±1.6) mm in those without it (P = 0.03). Grade VI cataract was observed in 93 eyes (41.2%) and hypermature cataract was the most commonly observed cataract stage. Twenty-one eyes (9.3%) had increased intraocular pressure. Intraoperative difficulties were encountered in 62 eyes (27.4%) with poor pupillary dilation being the most common problem (32 eyes, 14.2%), followed by zonular dehiscence (18 eyes, 8%). Conclusion: This hospital-based study showed that PXF syndrome is common in rural population of Garhwal region and that the intraoperative complication rate in these patients is high. Surgeons should be aware of the potential complications of cataract procedures in patients with PEX. Caution should be taken at every stage of the surgery to prevent these complications, and surgeons should be knowledgeable and skilful in complication management should they arise.