Post-Operative Complications After Cataract Surgery in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and/or Sjögren's Syndrome.

Purpose: To determine the frequency and types of postoperative complications following cataract surgery in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and/or Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Patients and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of consecutive patients with RA and/or SS who underwent cataract surgery between 2006 and 2018. Results: A total of 100 eyes from 75 patients (mean age 73.1 ± 9.3 years) were included: RA (n=81), SS (n=11), and both RA and SS (n=8). Twenty-nine eyes had preoperative keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Postoperatively, 4% of eyes showed reduced best-corrected visual acuity. Cystoid macular oedema developed in 6 eyes (6%), and 3% experienced prolonged anterior chamber inflammation. One patient with SS developed a paracentral corneal melt without perforation, and another with SS developed postoperative endophthalmitis resulting in complete vision loss. Conclusion: Patients with RA, particularly those with SS and pre-existing dry eye, are at increased risk of postoperative complications after cataract surgery. Careful preoperative assessment and close postoperative monitoring are recommended in this population.