Short-term outcomes of coaxial microincision cataract surgery for uveitis-associated cataract without postoperative systemic steroid therapy.

Purpose: To study the necessity of prophylactic systemic steroid therapy after coaxial microincision cataract surgery (MICS) conducted in aged patients during remission of uveitis.

Procedures: A total of 17 consecutive patients who underwent MICS were enrolled in this retrospective study. The median age was 73 years. MICS via a 2.2-mm incision was performed. None of the patients received systemic steroid administration after surgery. The visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) and inflammation scores were recorded.

Results: The mean logMAR visual acuity was significantly improved from 0.56 ± 0.58 to 0.10 ± 0.30, and the mean inflammation score was reduced from 0.20 to 0.14. Postoperative complications were recurrence of ocular inflammation in 1 eye and elevation of IOP more than 21 mm Hg in 1 eye, which were resolved by topical steroids and topical antiglaucoma medication.

Conclusions: Prophylactic systemic steroid therapy after MICS may not be necessary in aged uveitis patients without posterior complications before cataract surgery.