Post-Operative Complications After Cataract Surgery in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and/or Sjögren’s Syndrome

Sepehr Sadeghi,1,2 Tzu-Ying Yu,2 David Choi,1,2 Jay J Meyer1,2 1Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Greenlane Clinical Centre, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New ZealandCorrespondence: Jay J Meyer, Department of Ophthalmology, Private Bag 92019, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand, Tel +64 9 373 7599 ext 86712, Fax +64 9 367 7173, Email [email protected]: To determine the frequency and types of postoperative complications following cataract surgery in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and/or Sjögren’s syndrome (SS).Patients and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of consecutive patients with RA and/or SS who underwent cataract surgery between 2006 and 2018.Results: A total of 100 eyes from 75 patients (mean age 73.1 ± 9.3 years) were included: RA (n=81), SS (n=11), and both RA and SS (n=8). Twenty-nine eyes had preoperative keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Postoperatively, 4% of eyes showed reduced best-corrected visual acuity. Cystoid macular oedema developed in 6 eyes (6%), and 3% experienced prolonged anterior chamber inflammation. One patient with SS developed a paracentral corneal melt without perforation, and another with SS developed postoperative endophthalmitis resulting in complete vision loss.Conclusion: Patients with RA, particularly those with SS and pre-existing dry eye, are at increased risk of postoperative complications after cataract surgery. Careful preoperative assessment and close postoperative monitoring are recommended in this population.Keywords: phacoemulsification, autoimmune, post-operative inflammation, dry eye