[CATARACT SURGERY COMPLICATIONS IN MALES TREATED WITH ALPHA-1 ANTAGONISTS FOR BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA].

INTRODUCTION: Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) was first described by Chang and Campbell in 2005. The characteristics of this syndrome include: 1. Floppy iris that billows in reaction to intraocular fluid currents during standard phacoemulsification procedure; 2. Flaccid iris stroma that tends to prolapse through well-constructed surgical incisions; 3. Insufficient pupillary mydriasis despite proper pharmacologic preparation and progressive pupillary constriction during the operation. Surgical procedures with IFIS have since been noted to have an exceptionally high rate of complications, some of which can be vision threatening. These complications include: radial tear in the anterior capsule, a posterior capsule rupture with vitreous prolapse, retained lens fragments, anterior chamber hemorrhage, increased postoperative inflammation, permanent damage to the iris causing a deformed pupil, glare and photophobia, cystoid macular edema, retinal detachment and endophthalmitis. Several studies have found substantial aetiological association between IFIS and current or previous consumption of selective α1 adrenoreceptors antagonists. The strongest association was found with the drug Tamsulosin (Flomax). The α1 anatagonists are commonly used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms in elderly men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. This article will review current knowledge about IFIS including historical background, incidence, pharmacological mechanism and possible measures and methods aimed to reduce surgical complications.