Capsule complication during cataract surgery: Long-term outcomes: Swedish Capsule Rupture Study Group report 3.

PURPOSE: To describe the long-term outcomes after cataract extractions with a capsule rupture included in the Swedish Capsule Rupture Study.

SETTING

Ten ophthalmic surgery departments in Sweden.

METHODS

From the cohort of patients originally selected for inclusion in the Swedish Capsule Rupture Study, cases with a capsule complication (study group) and cases without a complication (control group) were examined approximately 3.5 years postoperatively. Visual acuity and objective and subjective parameters were registered.

RESULTS

The study group comprised 171 patients and the control group, 198 patients. Patients with a capsule complication had a significantly worse visual outcome and a doubled risk for no improvement in preoperative visual acuity. Pupil distortion, iris damage, synechias, and subjective complaints related to the eye were significantly more common in patients with a capsule complication.

CONCLUSION

Capsule complications decreased the probability of good postoperative visual acuity and in general yielded a worse long-term outcome after phacoemulsification surgery.