Posterior Capsule Rupture With/Without Vitreous Loss During Phacoemulsification in a Hospital in Malaysia.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine the risk factors and the point at which posterior capsule rupture (PCR) with/without vitreous loss occurred after cataract surgery and the precautions to be taken to avoid it in the future.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

METHODS

Patients who underwent cataract surgery from January 2011 to December 2012 in a hospital in Malaysia were studied. The data were obtained from the National Eye Database of Malaysia.

RESULTS

Of 80.4% eyes (2519) that had undergone phacoemulsification, it was found that 3.06% (77) of the cases had PCR as one of the complications. The largest number of PCRs happened during cortical removal (35.2%), followed by segment removal (25.4%), cracking (8.5%), and aspiration of the oculoviscodevice (8.5%). It has been found that the rupture most often occurred during cortex removal by consultants, whereas most PCRs occurred during segment removal by specialists.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals that around 3% of patients had PCR during phacoemulsification. It is important to recognize PCR and presence of vitreous loss intraoperatively to prevent further complications of cystoid macular edema and endophthalmitis.