Posterior capsule dehiscence during phacoemulsification and manual extracapsular cataract extraction: comparison of outcomes.

PURPOSE: To compare the intraoperative behavior and postoperative outcomes of posterior capsule dehiscence during phacoemulsification and during manual extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE).

SETTING

L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective chart review of consecutive cases of posterior capsule dehiscence over 2 years in patients having phacoemulsification or manual ECCE. A chi-square test was used for statistical comparison of the results in the 2 groups.

RESULTS

In the 127 eyes with posterior capsule dehiscence, the incidence of vitreous prolapse was comparable between the 2 groups (phacoemulsification, 61.6%; ECCE, 62.7%). In the phacoemulsification group, vitreous prolapse occurred more frequently if nuclear fragments were present at the time of posterior capsule dehiscence than if they were present during cortex removal (P =.05). Posterior dislocation of nuclear fragments occurred in 4 eyes in the phacoemulsification group. Increased anterior uveitis in the early postoperative period occurred more frequently in the ECCE group (P =.02). The visual outcomes were similar between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though differences existed between the intraoperative factors influencing the management of posterior capsule dehiscence during phacoemulsification and ECCE, the final anatomic and visual outcomes were comparable.