AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation in the treatment of shallow anterior chamber with cataract.

METHODS: Retrospective case series. From February 2014 to July 2015 in our hospital,65 eyes in 65 patients with cataract were enrolled and divided into mild and high risk of shallow anterior chamber group. Best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure(IOP), central anterior chamber dept(CACD), angle opening distance(AOD), complications pre- and post treatment, were observed and analyzed as outcome measures.

RESULTS:In this study, the mild shallow anterior chamber group included 34 eyes; postoperative BCVA were improved in 29 eyes, with 4 eyes remaining stable and decreased in 1 eye; BCVA was improved in 16 eyes, with 10 eyes remaining stable and decreased in 5 eyes in high risk of shallow anterior chamber group postoperatively. BCVA had a better prognosis in the mild shallow anterior chamber group than another group(t=-2.956, P<0.05). Meanwhile, IOP decreased by 5.71±2.07mmHg and CACD increased by 1.37±0.38mm in the mild shallow anterior chamber group, by 9.77±4.04mmHg and 1.67±0.43mm respectively in high risk group, and the difference has statistical significance(t=-5.02,-3.04; P<0.05). The mean preoperative nasal AOD500 was 200.57±33.74μm, and they were 346.62±101.37μm and 410.75±137.48μm and 398.69±122.28μm respectively at postoperative 1d, 1 and 3mo, and all nAOD500 comparing with preoperative were increased obviously, and the difference has statistical significance(F=203.75, P<0.01). And AOD500 at temporal, superior and inferior presented similar trends. Complications were corneal edema(5 eyes), transient intraocular hypertension(2 eyes), posterior capsular opacification(4 eyes), and posterior capsular rupture(1 eye).

CONCLUSION: Micro incision cataract surgery is useful, effective and safe in patients with cataract and shallow anterior chamber which can stabilize or improve BCVA, reduce IOP, deepen CACD and open the anterior chamber angle.