Quiescent posterior capsule trauma after intravitreal injection: Implications for the cataract surgeon

[Lens injury as a complication of intravitreal medication injection]

BACKGROUND

Intravitreal medication injections are an efficient and low-risk delivery technique for treating various retinal diseases. Rare serious complications include increased intraocular pressure, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal tears and detachment, intraocular inflammation and endophthalmitis. In the case series presented here, we report iatrogenic lens injuries caused by inadequate performance of intravitreal injections.

METHODS

A multicenter data collection of patients treated with intravitreal injections with visible iatrogenic lens defects from 2016 to 2023 was retrospectively performed.

RESULTS

Lens trauma after intravitreal injections was identified in six cases (69.3±6.5 years). While five cases were observed after anti-VEGF therapy, we identified lens injury after dexamethasone implantation in one patient.

CONCLUSION

Iatrogenic lens injury during intravitreal injection is preventable with the correct injection technique. Knowledge of individual axis length and lens status also helps to avoid this complication.

Previous intravitreal injection as a risk factor of posterior capsule rupture in cataract surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Intravitreal injections and cataract surgery are two common procedures in the elderly. Posterior capsular rupture (PCR) is a rare but important complication of cataract surgery. We systematically reviewed the literature on previous intravitreal injections as a risk factor of PCR and performed meta-analyses to provide pooled summary risk estimates.

METHODS

We searched 13 literature databases on 1 June 2021 for studies evaluating the risk of PCR in eyes undergoing cataract surgery with data on previous intravitreal injections. Data extraction was made independently by two authors and discussed afterwards until reaching consensus. Random effects meta-analyses on the pooled odds ratio (OR) of PCR in eyes with previous intravitreal injections were made using MetaXL 5.3.

RESULTS

Six studies on 1 051 097 eyes undergoing cataract surgery were eligible for the qualitative and quantitative review. Previous history of intravitreal injections was present in 7034 eyes (majority was anti-VEGF). Our meta-analyses revealed that any previous intravitreal injection was a risk factor for PCR with an OR of 2.30 (95% CI 1.39-3.81). For each previous intravitreal injection, the risk of PCR was OR 1.04 (95% CI 1.01-1.08) (equivalent of relative risk ~1.04). In other words, risk of PCR increases by 4% for each previous intravitreal injection.

CONCLUSIONS

Previous intravitreal injection is a risk factor for PCR and should be taken into account when planning cataract surgery. However, to be regarded as a clinically significant risk of PCR, a substantial number of previous intravitreal injection (e.g. ≥10) should have been administered, considering that the a priori risk of PCR is very low (~1%).

Intravitreal injection is associated with increased posterior capsule rupture risk during cataract surgery: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Although observational studies have suggested that prior intravitreal therapy may predict posterior capsule rupture (PCR) during cataract surgery, this finding is still controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To summarize current evidence on the association between prior intravitreal injection (IVI) and PCR during cataract surgery.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed up to October 27th, 2021. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. The potential association between IVI and PCR in future cataract surgeries was assessed using the following two models: "pooling the odds ratios of PCR in eyes with and without previous IVI(s)" and "pooling the odds ratios for PCR relative to each increase in the number of prior injections." The quality of included studies was appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

6 cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis, with a total of 1,051,097 eyes that underwent cataract surgery. Of these, 7,034 eyes were associated with previous IVI. The pooled odds of PCR in eyes with prior IVI was 2.01 (95% CI: 1.35-3.00) times higher than that of eyes without an IVI history. An increase in the number of previous IVI conferred increased odds of PCR of 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01-1.06). After excluding studies that failed to account for confounders, the significantly increased risk was not altered, and the significant heterogeneity was minimized in both models.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis provides evidence that previous IVI significantly increases the risk of PCR during future cataract surgery. The risk of PCR should be discussed preoperatively with patients. Further studies are required to validate our findings and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Rate of intraoperative complications during cataract surgery following intravitreal injections

PurposeTo investigate the effect of prior intravitreal injections on intraoperative and postoperative complication rates associated with cataract surgery.MethodsA retrospective cohort analysis reviewed 10 105 cataract surgery procedures performed by experienced surgeons at the Duke Eye Center from 1 January 2005 to 10 December 2012. A group of 197 eyes with prior intravitreal injections was compared with an equal number of matched control eyes without prior injection using the Fisher's exact test of difference in proportions and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test of difference in means. Outcomes analyzed included baseline demographic information, preoperative clinical characteristics, prevalence of intraoperative complications, and postoperative intraocular pressure, glaucoma surgery, and glaucoma medication requirement through 1 year following cataract surgery.ResultsAn increased rate of intraoperative complications was identified during cataract surgery in eyes with prior intravitreal injections compared with control eyes (3 vs 0%, P=0.030). Injection eyes required more glaucoma medications at 1 year, but no difference was identified if steroid injections were excluded. No difference in postoperative IOP or glaucoma surgery was identified. No cases of endophthalmitis were reported.ConclusionsA history of intravitreal injections may be a risk factor for cataract surgery-related intraoperative complications. We hypothesize this may be due to unidentified iatrogenic lens trauma during intravitreal injections. Particular attention to the posterior capsule during preoperative assessment and intraoperatively is recommended in eyes undergoing cataract surgery with a prior history of intravitreal injections.

Effect of Prior Anti-VEGF Injections on the Risk of Retained Lens Fragments and Endophthalmitis after Cataract Surgery in the Elderly

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of prior intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections on surgical and postoperative complication rates associated with cataract surgery in a nationally representative longitudinal sample of elderly persons.

DESIGN

Retrospective, longitudinal cohort analysis.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 203 643 Medicare beneficiaries who underwent cataract surgery from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2013.

METHODS

By using the 5% sample of Medicare claims data, the study assessed risks of 3 adverse outcomes after receipt of cataract surgery for beneficiaries with a history of intravitreal injections. Risks of these outcomes in beneficiaries with a history of intravitreal injections relative to those without were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard model.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the risk of subsequent removal of retained lens fragments (RLFs) within 28 days after cataract surgery. Secondary outcomes were a new diagnosis of acute (<40 days) or delayed-onset (40+ days) endophthalmitis and risk of a new primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) diagnosis within 365 days after cataract surgery.

RESULTS

Prior intravitreal anti-VEGF injections were associated with a significantly increased risk of subsequent RLF removal within 28 days after cataract surgery (hazard ratio [HR], 2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-4.30). Prior injections were also associated with increased risk of both acute (HR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.001-5.22) and delayed-onset endophthalmitis (HR, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.65-8.05). Prior injections were not a significant indicator of increased risk of a new POAG diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

A history of intravitreal injections may be a risk factor for cataract surgery-related intraoperative complications and endophthalmitis. Given the frequency of intravitreal injections and cataract surgery, increased preoperative assessment, additional intraoperative caution, and postoperative vigilance are recommended in patients with a history of intravitreal injections undergoing cataract extraction.

Management of iatrogenic crystalline lens injury occurred during intravitreal injection

To evaluate the approach to management of iatrogenic crystalline lens injury occurred during intravitreal injection (IVI). The patients who were managed operatively or followed-up without intervention after the iatrogenic lens injury due to IVI were included in the study. Capsular breaks remained either quiescent or resulted in cataract formation in the patients with inadvertent crystalline lens capsule damage. Phacoemulsification surgery was performed in patients with cataract formation with lower fluidic settings. A total of 9 cases included in the study. Seven cases underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Two cases remained as quiescent lens injury during the follow-up. In 2 cases, dislocation of lens fragments occurred during phacoemulsification where pars plana vitrectomy was performed at the same session. After iatrogenic crystalline lens injury, capsular damage could remain quiescent or progress to cataract formation. Although phacoemulsification surgery can be performed with appropriate parameters, lens fragment dislocation can be observed in cases with traumatic lens damage secondary to IVI.