Clinical Results of Posterior Capsular Rupture During Cataract Operation

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the character, management and clinical results of the posterior capsular rupture during cataract surgery, we retrospectively studied the cataract surgeries that were performed between May 1989 and Decemeber 1991. We discovered 64 eyes in which the posterior capsule was torn. The overall incidence of this complication was 4.4%. Our chart review of these surgical procedure revealed that the tear occurred most frequently during the nucleus removal(44%), occured more frequently at the periphery than the center and the extent was mostly below one-third of the whole posterior capsular surface(75%). We performed vitrectomy(58%) and peripheral iridectomy(14%). Posterior capsular lenses were implallted in 56 cases. The predicted power of lens calculated with SRK-II fomula and manufacturer's A-constant was approximately 0.46 diopter less than actual postoperative refraction. Final visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 73% of the 64 cases. Our results revealed that when properly managed, a torn posterior capsule is compatible with an excellent visual outcome.