Management of cataract in the setting of uveitis: a review of the current literature

• Published in: Current opinion in ophthalmology Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 3 - 9
• Main Authors: Moshirfar, Majid, Somani, Anisha N., Motlagh, Mahsaw N., Ronquillo, Yasmyne C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved 01-01-2020; Copyright Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved
• Subjects: Administration, Ophthalmic; Cataract - complications; Cataract Extraction; Dexamethasone - administration & dosage; Drug Implants; Fluprednisolone - administration & dosage; Fluprednisolone - analogs & derivatives; Glucocorticoids - administration & dosage; Humans; Intraoperative Care; Intravitreal Injections; Macular Edema - prevention & control; Postoperative Care; Preoperative Care; Uveitis - complications; Uveitis - drug therapy; Visual Acuity - physiology
• ISSN: 1040-8738; 1531-7021
• DOI: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000626

PURPOSE OF REVIEWThis review aims to cover the preoperative planning, intraoperative considerations, and postoperative management that aids in successful outcomes of patients with cataract and uveitis. Disease-specific management and pediatric management will also be addressed.
RECENT FINDINGSDexamethasone implants appear to be a safe and effective addition to standard steroid treatment in decreasing the incidence of postoperative cystoid macular edema (CME). Intravitreal steroids and topical difluprednate have shown utility in CME treatment.
SUMMARYCataract surgery in eyes with uveitis is generally safe and effective if inflammation is well controlled; however, complication rates are still higher than in eyes without uveitis. Future investigations should delineate outcomes for eyes with different etiologies of uveitis, and further research is needed to adequately control inflammation and avoid postoperative complications.