METHODS: Clinical data from patients with cataract who underwent phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation at the hospital between June 2021 and June 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into an exudation group and a non-exudation group according to the presence or absence of postoperative anterior chamber exudation. Demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, preoperative examination findings, surgery-related factors, intraoperative complications, and postoperative conditions were collected and compared between the two groups. Factors associated with anterior chamber exudation after phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation were analyzed.

RESULTS: A total of 840 cataract patients(840 eyes)who underwent phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation were enrolled. According to the presence or absence of postoperative anterior chamber exudation, 42 patients(42 eyes)were assigned to the exudation group, including 18 men and 24 women, with a mean age of 72.04±7.84 y; the remaining 798 patients(798 eyes)were assigned to the non-exudation group, including 370 men and 428 women, with a mean age of 65.13±9.25 y. Univariate analysis showed significant between-group differences in age, duration of cataract, diabetes mellitus, postoperative elevation of intraocular pressure, duration of corticosteroid eye-drop use, and lens nuclear grade(all P<0.05). Restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated significant overall associations of age, duration of cataract, and duration of corticosteroid eye-drop use with the risk of postoperative anterior chamber exudation(all P<0.001). No significant non-linear associations were observed(P_{for non-linearity} >0.05), indicating linear relationships. Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that age(OR=1.096, 95%CI: 1.053-1.141), duration of cataract(OR=1.074, 95%CI: 1.042-1.107), diabetes mellitus(OR=2.630, 95%CI: 1.269-5.453), postoperative elevation of intraocular pressure(OR=4.311, 95%CI: 1.851-10.041), duration of corticosteroid eye-drop use(OR=2.082, 95%CI: 1.479-2.930), and lens nuclear grade ≥IV(OR=2.635, 95%CI: 1.309-5.304)were risk factors for postoperative anterior chamber exudation(all P<0.05). A nomogram prediction model was developed based on these factors. The calibration curve showed good agreement between the predicted and observed probabilities. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of the model for predicting postoperative anterior chamber exudation was 0.858(95%CI: 0.801-0.916), with a sensitivity of 0.810 and a specificity of 0.803.

CONCLUSION: Anterior chamber exudation following phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation is influenced by multiple factors. Age, duration of cataract, diabetes mellitus, postoperative elevation of intraocular pressure, longer duration of corticosteroid eye-drop use, and greater lens nuclear hardness are risk factors. The nomogram developed using these factors demonstrates good predictive performance for postoperative anterior chamber exudation and may facilitate the early identification of high-risk patients and the development of individualized intervention strategies.