PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual outcomes, choroidal neovascular complex status, and adverse events in patients with visually significant cataract and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who had cataract surgery. SETTING: Private practices, Beverly Hills, California, and New London, Connecticut, USA. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Data were abstracted from the medical records of patients with neovascular AMD treated by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy who had cataract surgery. The main outcome measures were Snellen corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), perioperative adverse events, and status of the choroidal neovascular complex. RESULTS: The study enrolled 30 eyes of 28 patients. The CDVA was 20/40 or better in 10% of eyes preoperatively and 40% postoperatively; 20/50 to 20/100 in 53% and 33%, respectively; and 20/200 or worse in 37% and 27%, respectively. The change in CDVA from preoperatively to postoperatively was statistically significant, with a mean change of 0.22 logMAR ± 0.27 (SD) at 2 months (P<.0001), 0.22 ± 0.36 logMAR at 6 months (P=.001), and 0.17 ± 0.54 logMAR at the last follow-up (P=.01). Patients received a mean of 0.32 injections per month postoperatively compared with 0.49 injections per month preoperatively. Perioperative macular adverse events did not occur in any eye. CONCLUSIONS: With regular evaluations and appropriate treatment with anti-VEGF agents, cataract surgery did not appear to be associated with an increased incidence of perioperative complications or macular adverse events.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual outcomes, choroidal neovascular complex status, and adverse events in patients with visually significant cataract and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who had cataract surgery. SETTING: Private practices, Beverly Hills, California, and New London, Connecticut, USA. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Data were abstracted from the medical records of patients with neovascular AMD treated by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy who had cataract surgery. The main outcome measures were Snellen corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), perioperative adverse events, and status of the choroidal neovascular complex. RESULTS: The study enrolled 30 eyes of 28 patients. The CDVA was 20/40 or better in 10% of eyes preoperatively and 40% postoperatively; 20/50 to 20/100 in 53% and 33%, respectively; and 20/200 or worse in 37% and 27%, respectively. The change in CDVA from preoperatively to postoperatively was statistically significant, with a mean change of 0.22 logMAR ± 0.27 (SD) at 2 months (P<.0001), 0.22 ± 0.36 logMAR at 6 months (P=.001), and 0.17 ± 0.54 logMAR at the last follow-up (P=.01). Patients received a mean of 0.32 injections per month postoperatively compared with 0.49 injections per month preoperatively. Perioperative macular adverse events did not occur in any eye. CONCLUSIONS: With regular evaluations and appropriate treatment with anti-VEGF agents, cataract surgery did not appear to be associated with an increased incidence of perioperative complications or macular adverse events.