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. Conclusion: 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.