Cataract surgery in patients with age-related macular degeneration: questions and controversies

• Published in: Rossiĭskiĭ oftalʹmologicheskiĭ zhurnal Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 133 - 139
• Main Authors: Dmitrieva, E. I., Fursova, A. Zh, Nikulich, I. F., Kim, T. J., Gamza, Yu. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Russian
• Published: Real Time Ltd 26-03-2022
• Subjects: age-related macular degeneration; cataract; choroidal neovascularization; optical coherence tomography; phacoemulsification
• ISSN: 2072-0076; 2587-5760
• DOI: 10.21516/2072-0076-2022-15-1-133-139

The issue of surgical treatment of cataracts in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is important due to a high incidence of the comorbid course of the two diseases. The effectiveness of phacoemulsification of cataract (FEC) in patients with AMD, its influence on the course of AMD, the characteristics of visual functions, and the quality of life of these patients are still controversial. The study of risk factors for the development of choroidal neovascularization, the influence of the characteristics of surgical treatment and the number of injections on the incidence of intraoperative complications seems to be quite relevant for understanding the possible mechanisms of AMD progression after FEC. This study is instrumental in the development of measures preventing the reactivation of the pathological process, improving visual functions and the quality of life of patients after surgical treatment of cataracts. The range of contraindications for FEC in patients with neovascular AMD is rather limited , and continuation of anti-VEGF therapy stops active exudation and increases visual acuity in patients with neovascular AMD. Maintaining functional parameters, improving peripheral vision, contrast sensitivity, improving the quality of OCT imaging provides both significant benefits for the patient and boosts the control of the disease, increasing the accuracy of monitoring.