Authors:Yuan Chaofeng, Meng Jia, Shao Jingzhi, Ma Chengxia, Huang Xuetao,Du Liping
Corresponding author: Du Liping, Email:1307438431@qq.com
Published:2026-08-10
DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn115989-20260120-00036
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effects of intraoperative anterior chamber dexamethasone injection on inflammatory response and visual function in patients with uveitis complicated with cataract and closed pupil membrane.
Methods A cohort study was conducted. A total of 76 patients (76 eyes) with cataracts complicated by uveitis who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2024 to May 2025 were enrolled. All patients underwent routine treatment combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Intraoperatively, dexamethasone was injected into the anterior chamber in 40 cases (40 eyes), which were assigned to the dexamethasone treatment group, while the remaining 36 cases (36 eyes) were assigned to the routine treatment group. Visual acuity was measured at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively, and the visual function improvement rates were calculated preoperatively. The incidences of complications, including corneal edema, anterior chamber exudation, and anterior chamber flare, were recorded. Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate the systemic inflammatory response. This study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (No. 2025-KY-1151). Both the patients themselves or their guardians gave informed consent to the study.
Results The preoperative, 1-week postoperative and 1-month postoperative visual acuity were 1.09±0.09, 0.25±0.15 and 0.22±0.13 in the dexamethasone treatment group, respectively, and 1.08±0.08, 0.54±0.20, and 0.44±0.18 in the routine treatment group, respectively, with statistically significant overall differences ( F group=52.090, P<0.001; F time=1 095.001, P<0.001). The 1-week postoperative and 1-month postoperative visual acuity were significantly better in the dexamethasone treatment group than in the routine treatment group (both P<0.05). In the dexamethasone treatment group and routine treatment group, the visual acuity at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively were significantly better than the preoperative level, and the visual acuity at 1 month postoperatively was significantly better than that at 1 week postoperatively in the routine treatment group (all P<0.05). The 1-week postoperative and 1-month postoperative visual function improvement rates were significantly higher in the dexamethasone treatment group than in the routine treatment group (both P<0.05) and no statistically significant differences were observed in the incidences of corneal edema, anterior chamber exudation, anterior chamber flare, and the total complication rate within 1 month postoperatively between the two groups (all P>0.05). The 1-week postoperative and 1-month postoperative serum levels of IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α were significantly lower in the dexamethasone treatment group than in the routine treatment group (all P<0.05). In the dexamethasone treatment group and routine treatment group, the serum levels of IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively were significantly lower than the preoperative levels, and the serum IL-6 level at 1 month postoperatively was significantly lower than that at 1 week postoperatively in the routine treatment group ( P<0.05).
Conclusions Intraoperative anterior chamber injection of dexamethasone alleviates postoperative inflammatory responses, improves visual function for patients with uveitis complicated by cataracts and pupillary membrane occlusion, and is safe and reliable.
KEYWORDS：
Dexamethasone;Cataract;Uveitis;Pupillary membrane closure;Inflammatory reactions;Visual function
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Authors Info & Affiliations
Yuan Chaofeng
Department of Ophtalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou 450000, China
Meng Jia
Department of Ophtalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou 450000, China
Shao Jingzhi
Department of Ophtalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou 450000, China
Ma Chengxia
Department of Ophtalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou 450000, China
Huang Xuetao
Department of Ophtalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou 450000, China
Du Liping
Department of Ophtalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou 450000, China
Figures & Tables
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