To evaluate the changes of anterior chamber depth (ACD), Axial length (AXL) after combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery and to analyze the association with refractive errors.

In 22 eyes who underwent combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery (PPV-Phaco group), 20 eyes who underwent vitrectomy-only (PPV-only group) and 28 eyes who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery (Phaco-only group), ACD and AXL were measured with IOL master (Carl Zeiss Jena, Germany) preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. We compared the preoperative desired refraction and postoperative 3 months refraction.

ACD were increased in PPV-Phaco group and Phaco-only group (all, p < 0.001) and this change was more prominent in PPV-Phaco group ( p = 0.030). In PPV only group, ACD was decreased ( p < 0.001). The AXL after surgery was not significant different from the preoperative AXL in PPV-Phaco and PPV only groups ( p = 0.612, p = 0.090). But the AXL was decreased in Phaco-only group ( p = 0.022). Hyperopic shifting were noticed in PPV-Phaco and phaco-only groups, but myopic shifting was noticed in PPV-only group. However, these changes were not statistically significant ( p = 0.292, p = 0.251, p = 0.068).

ACD was increased after combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery. AXL was not changed. The hyperopic shifting was noticed after combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery, but was not statistically significant.