AIM:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in patients with high myopia and cataract.

METHODS:Seventy-three cases(128 eyes)with cataract and high myopia were collected from January 2011 to December 2011 in the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Patients received phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation.The follow-up period was 4a. The Pre-and post-operative corrected vision and operative complications were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS:The best corrected visual acuity was 4.33±0.51 before operation and 4.60±0.47, 4.69±0.42, 4.67±0.45, 4.65±0.30, 4.73±0.29, at 1wk, 3mo, 1, 2 and 3a after operation, respectively. Statistical difference of corrected vision was found between the before operation and each time period after operation(P<0.01). At 1wk, 3mo and 1a after operation, patients with shorter axial length(26-30mm)all got a significant better corrected vision compared to patients with longer axial length(>30mm; P=0.012, 0.003, 0.002). No complication was seen during the operation. Cystoid macular edema was found in 2 eyes(1.6%), which were cured after glucocorticoid therapy; increased intraocular pressure(IOP)in 4 eyes(3.1%), which returned to normal after IOP-lowering drugs; posterior capsular opacification was observed in 57 eyes(44.5%), in which 6 mild eyes without influence on vision were observed and 51 eyes were given Nd:YAG laser capsulectomy. The vision of the 51 eyes recovered to normal after laser. No retinal or choroidal detachment was seen after surgery.

CONCLUSION: It is effective and safe for high myopes with cataract to be treated with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation and the long-term visual outcome is stable.