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The records of 320 eyes without other ocular pathology undergoing pars plana lensectomy and vitrectomy by ultrasonic fragmentation for routine cataract extraction without an implant were reviewed retrospectively. Three hundred two (302/320-94.4%) had vision between 20/20-20/40. Reasons for vision less than 20/40 in 18/320 (5.6%) eyes included 5/320 (1.5%) with retinal detachments, 11/320 (3.4%) with clinically apparent cystoid maculopathy, 1/320 (0.3%) with a macular hole, and 1/320 (0.3%) with retained lens material. Comparison was made between 184 lensectomies performed by the original technique and 136 pars plana lensectomies performed by the modified technique. Vision between 20/20-20/40 was achieved by 168/184 (91.3%) of the original technique group versus 134/136 (98.5%) of the modified technique group. In the latter group, there was one retinal detachment (0.7%), one macular hole (0.7%) and no clinical cystoid maculopathy. Fluorescein angiography performed three months postoperatively in eyes having vision of 20/20-20/40 of the modified lensectomy group showed cystoid maculopathy in one eye which had undergone trauma-induced wound dehiscence.

A preliminary study of the use of a Simcoe 101-J implant in the anterior chamber after pars plana lensectomy by ultrasonic fragmentation showed initially good results. Further observations of these and additional eyes showed 20/20-20/40 vision in 86.9%, retinal detachment in 3.5%, retinal hole in 1.5%, clinical cystoid maculopathy in 13%, and so-called UGH syndrome in 5%. Pars plana lensectomy alone in the last 136 eyes resulted in vision of 20/20-20/40 in 98.5%, a retinal detachment rate of 0.73%, retinal hole rate of 0.73%, no UGH syndrome, and no clinical cystoid maculopathy. Pars plana lensectomy alone appears to be a far safer procedure than pars plana lensectomy plus a Simcoe implant in the anterior chamber. Implantation of the Simcoe 101-J manufactured by IOLAB Corp. in the anterior chamber is not recommended.