Efficacy and complications of cataract surgery in high myopia

ABSTRACT To evaluate the efficacy and complications of cataract surgery in high myopia, a comprehensive search query was conducted from January 2000 to August 2020. A total of 19586 highly myopic eyes from 28 studies were included. Modern cataract surgery turns out efficacious in highly myopic eyes with significant improvement of visual acuity. However, phacoemulsification-related complications such as posterior capsular rupture (3.91%, 95% CI 1.98%-6.37%), retinal detachment (1.74%, 95% CI 1.36%-2.15%), progressed myopic traction maculopathy (5.07%, 95% CI 1.80%-9.37%), capsular contraction syndrome (2.1%), intraocular lens dislocation (0.58%) and transient intraocular pressure elevation (28.15%, 95% CI 20.29%-36.70%) occurred more frequently in the highly myopic population. Separate analyses were also conducted based on follow-up period. In conclusion, modern cataract surgery was effective for highly myopic cataract patients, while careful precautions and sufficient follow-ups were of great value due to higher incidences of intraoperative and postoperative complications.