Aims To examine the intraoperative characteristics of phacoemulsification in eyes that had undergone pars plana vitrectomy and to determine complication rates and visual outcomes. Methods A prospective study of 45 consecutive cataract operations on vitrectomised eyes performed over a 9-month period by a single surgeon. Data were collected on preoperative characteristics, intraoperative observations and complications, postoperative complications, and visual acuities.

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Posterior capsular opacification is a form of wound healing and the behaviour of lens epithelial cells is central to its progression. Emphasis has been on the elimination of residual lens epithelial cells to combat PCO. This study demonstrated that the phenotype of BLECs was influenced by the surface properties of the intraocular lens materials. Gas plasma treatment of the materials increased their hydrophilicity and allowed the adhered BLECs to maintain their normal epithelial morphology. We believe that controlled growth of lens epithelial cells may reduce the incidence of PCO.

Chronic papillary conjunctivitis has been described following adenoviral conjunctivitis. It is unknown however, how long adenovirus is able to persist in the tear film and conjunctiva. To determine if adenovirus persists in the ocular surface following adenoviral conjunctivitis, 304 patients with a history of adenovirus conjunctivitis from whom an adenovirus had been isolated 10 years previously were sent a questionnaire regarding persistent or recurrent symptoms and were invited to attend. Patients were examined and samples of tears and conjunctival cells were collected from both eyes using tear film washes, filter paper, and swabs, the latter for virus isolation. Extracted DNA from the ocular samples was amplified using primers for herpes simplex virus (thymidine kinase) and adenovirus (hexon) genes. Adenovirus amplicons were sequenced and compared to original serotype. Thirty patients attended, 19 of whom had persistent papillary conjunctivitis. Evidence of adenovirus DNA was detected in 17 of 30 patients, 15 of whom also had evidence of a chronic papillary conjunctivitis. Adenovirus DNA was significantly associated with papillary conjunctivitis (P = 0.03). Adenovirus amplicons were successfully sequenced from six patients. Four patients harbored type 3 adenovirus, the same serotype with which they were infected originally 10 years previously. Two patients were infected originally with adenovirus serotype 3 but the current serotype was type 4. Infection of the ocular surface with adenovirus may predispose to the development of a persistent or recurrent conjunctivitis, the presence of which, appears to be associated with evidence of long term persistence of adenovirus DNA.

In patients with acquired iris defects, implantation of endocapsular IRI during cataract surgery appears to be a safe and effective procedure. At a mean time gate of 29 months, both IOLs and IRI appeared to remain stable within the capsular bag.