To identify risk factors for the development of persistent anterior uveitis (PAU) following uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract extraction in patients without histories of uveitis or autoimmune diseases.

Retrospective cohort study.

Medical records were reviewed of patients who underwent phacoemulsification cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016, at the University of Colorado Hospital. Exclusion criteria included patient history of autoimmune disease and/or uveitis, cataract surgery combined with another intraocular surgery, and complicated cataract surgery. Patients with PAU were identified according to Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature Working Group criteria. Data including sex, race/ethnicity, surgery length and cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), and postoperative visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were obtained. Main outcome measurements were risk factors for the development of PAU.

The charts of 3,013 eyes from 2,019 patients were reviewed. A total of 61 eyes (2.0%) from 48 patients developed PAU. African Americans were more likely than whites to develop PAU (relative risk = 11.3; P < 0.0001). Age, sex, surgery length, and CDE were not risk factors. Patients with PAU did not have worse VA than those without PAU, and African Americans with PAU did not have worse VA or IOP than the other races with PAU. Eighteen of the 61 eyes (29.5%) also developed cystoid macular edema.

African Americans have a higher risk of developing PAU after uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract extraction. The mechanism leading to this is unclear. Although PAU requires prolonged treatment, it does not appear to lead to worse visual outcomes.