1. Yüksel Totan, Ramazan Yaĝcı, Zeynel Arslanyılmaz, Uĝurcan Keskin The authors have no financial interest

2. Cataract is a frequent complication of silicone oil tamponade used in the management of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and advanced diabetic retinopathy complications. We aimed to evaluate clinical results of clear corneal phacoemulsification combined with transpupillary silicone oil removal.

3. A retrospective study 20 patients; 13 males, 7 females Age range; 14-75 years, mean age 53 yrs The same surgeon (YT) performed all the operations. The reasons for primary vitreoretinal surgery: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy in 13 eyes, Retinal detachment with giant tear in 2 eyes Retinal detachment with macular hole in 1 eye, Proliferative diabetic retinopathy complications in 4 eyes.

4. Type of cataract Posterior subcapsular opacities combined with nuclear sclerosis Biometry SRK/T formula using true axial length(AL) True AL was estimated by multiplying measured AL by the conversion factor of 0.71 Type of anesthesia Topical (10 eyes), Peribulbar (9 eyes), General anesthesia (1 eye-14 years old)

5. Surgical steps; A superior clear corneal incision Phacoemulsification (quick chop technique) Anterior chamber maintainer placement for infusion Posterior capsulotomy Silicone oil removal through the posterior capsulotomy with a 16 gauge cannula connected to a 10 mL syringe Retinal examination with a wide-angle viewing system IOL implantation in the capsular bag or sulcus.

6. Visual acuity (BCVA) After vitreoretinal surgery: Hand motion in 2 eyes, Finger counting in 5 eyes, 0.05 to 0.7 (Snellens chart) in 13 eyes After combined phacoemulsification plus silicone oil removal Finger counting in 3 eyes, 0.1 to 1.0 (Snellens chart) in 17 eyes “Mean BCVA increase is 2 Snellens lines”

7. Optical correction: IOL implantation in 18 eyes, 2 eyes left aphakic according to the preop biometry Type of IOL implantation: Capsular bag in 12 eyes Ciliary sulcus in 6 eyes. IOL type Hydrophilic acrylic monobloc IOL in 14 eyes, Hydrophobic acrylic monobloc IOL in 4 eyes

8. Follow-up period: Mean, 12 months (range, 4-36 months) Postoperative refractive error (spherical equivalent): The mean deviation, -1.0 ± 1.84 D (range, +2.0 to -5.0 D) A total of 90% was within ± 2 D 45% had a deviation of ± 1 D “No significant surgical complication leading to decreased vision was encountered during the follow-up period”.

9. Cataract is a common complication following vitreoretinal surgery with silicone oil tamponade. Combined phacoemulsification and silicone oil removal through a clear corneal incision has some advantages :  Reduced number of surgical procedures,  Reduced operation time,  Less or no posterior pressure during phacoemulsificaiton,  No sclerotomy,  No posterior capsular opacification,  Reduced risk of retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage (Because ora serrata is spared)

10. Some potential disadvantages of combined surgery:  Less predictable postoperative refraction,  Increased difficulty of in-the bag IOL implantation (particularly for mono-bloc hydrophilic IOLs),  Relative hypotony after silicone oil removal,  No chance of membrane peeling or retinal stabilization.  Potential subluxation of the IOL in case of inadvertent large posterior capsulotomy  Angiographic macular edema

11. Combined phacoemulsification and silicone oil removal through a clear corneal incision is a safe and effective technique, but must be reserved in selected cases in which retina is permanently stabilized with no significant epiretinal or subretinal membranes.