The impact of intravitreal tamponing agents used in vitrectomy on the duration of cataract formation and phaco parameters

Objectives: The objective of the study is to compare the duration of cataract development time (CDT) and used cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) in eyes that underwent vitreoretinal surgery and intraocular tamponade such as silicone oil, perfluoropropane (C3F8) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective comparative study, constructed with 137 cases that underwent vitreoretinal surgery by the same surgeon was examined. Three groups using intravitreal tamponades: silicone oil (50 patients), C3F8 (48 patients) and SF6 (39 patients) were compared in terms of the times between vitreoretinal surgery and phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. In addition, 78 cases of these patients who had undergone cataract surgery by the same surgeon and with the same device were compared in terms of the CDE used during the surgery. The data of all three groups were evaluated statistically using the one-way ANOVA test, and the post hoc test among the groups. Results: In cases where silicone oil was used, the average rate of CDT was 7.8 months, standard deviation (SD) ± 4.1 (min 1–max 18). In cases where C3F8 was used, CDT was 8.5 months, SD ± 6.7 (min 1–max 24) and SF6 was used; the mean CDT was 4.6 months, SD ± 3.1 (min 1–max 12). The general course of CDT followed a normal distribution in each group. CDT was shorter in the SF6 group than in the C3F8 group ( P = 0.002) and also shorter than in the silicone oil group ( P < 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between the C3F8 and the silicone oil group ( P = 0.892). Some of the patients who developed cataracts after vitreoretinal surgery were operated on by the same surgeon. In the cases where silicone oil was used, the average CDE was 17.3 J (min 4.4–max 55.4). In the cases where C3F8 was used, the average CDE was 19.1 J (min 1.5–max 61.6). In the cases where SF6 was used, the average CDE was 19.4 J (min 1.8–max 72.6). Each groups’ data followed a normal distribution statistically. When all three groups were evaluated together, although the SF6 group had higher CDE usage, no significant difference was found between the groups ( P : 0.824) Conclusion: CDT associated with tamponade used in vitreoretinal surgery showed a normal distribution. Cataracts developed earlier in eyes treated with SF6 compared to those treated with either C3F8 or silicone oil. Although SF6 gas remains in the eye for a shorter duration than both C3F8 gas and silicone oil, cataract development occurred earlier, suggesting that additional factors may contribute to cataract formation. In eyes that had previously undergone vitreoretinal surgery, the CDE during phacoemulsification varied widely but followed a normal distribution. There was no statistically significant difference in CDE between silicone oil, a permanent tamponade agent and absorbable gas tamponade agents used during vitreoretinal surgery. It was observed that the different tamponade agents applied during vitreoretinal surgery did not have a significant effect on CDE.