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This abstract is assigned to session AOB Free Papers 1

Presentation type	Oral presentation
Title	Cataract Surgery in Patients with Inherited Retinal Dystrophies: Pre-, Intra- and Postoperative Management

Purpose	To evaluate visual outcomes and complications after cataract surgery in patients with inherited retinal dystrophies and to describe measures to improve perioperative management.
Methods	Clinical data from patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) and severe early childhood onset retinal dystrophies (SECORD), who underwent phacoemulsification with intra-ocular lens implantation between January 2017 and December 2023 were analyzed. Patients were excluded if small-incision cataract surgery was performed, if surgical reports were unavailable, or if pre- or postoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) data were missing. Cataract subtype, CDVA, and intra- and postoperative complications were analyzed.
Results	In this study, 47 patients (74 eyes) with RP and 8 patients (14 eyes) with LCA/SECORD were included for analysis. Mean CDVA significantly improved postoperatively in RP patients (0.79 ± 0.69 to 0.48 ± 0.63 logMAR, p<0.001) and in LCA/SECORD patients (1.88 ± 1.05 to 1.3 ± 0.71 logMAR, p<0.05). Novel or worsening of existing CME occurred in 20.3% of RP eyes and 14.3% of LCA/SECORD eyes. Zonular instability occurred in 17.0% and 25% of patients, respectively. Within one year, PCO requiring Nd:YAG capsulotomy developed in 13.6% of RP eyes and 21.4% of LCA/SECORD eyes. Postoperative intra-ocular pressure ≥25 mmHg occurred in 6.8% of RP eyes whereas this was not observed in LCA/SECORD eyes.
Conclusion	Cataract surgery provides meaningful visual improvements in patients with RP and LCA/SECORD but is associated with increased intraoperative and postoperative risks, requiring modification of the standard surgical approach.
Conflict of interest	No

Authors 1

Last name	ALLUYN
Initials	L
Department	UZ Gent
City	Gent

Authors 2

Last name	HOEBEKE
Initials	L
Department	UZ Gent
City	Gent

Authors 3

Last name	ROELS
Initials	D
Department	UZ Gent
City	Gent