Discussion

Abstract

In a review of 18,470 consecutive cases from 1992 to 1999, the overall incidence of posterior capsular (PC) tear was 83, resulting in an incidence of 0.45%. Of these cases, the incidence of vitrectomy was 22%. This incidence compares favorably with reports by other authors. I 1 Fishkind W.J. The torn posterior capsule prevention, recognition, and management. American Academy of Ophthalmology. 1999; 17: 1-13 Google Scholar reported that of 3693 consecutive cases from 1989 to 1998, the incidence of vitrectomy was 1.19%. Osher and Cionni 2 Osher R.H. Cionni R.J. The torn posterior capsule its intraoperative behavior, surgical management, and long-term consequences. J Cataract Refract Surg. 1990; 16: 490-494 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (54) Google Scholar reported a vitrectomy rate of 1.0% from among 4800 cases. Powe et al, 3 Powe N.R. Schein O.D. Gieser S.C. et al. Synthesis of the literature on visual acuity and complications following cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation. Cataract Patient Outcome Research Team. Arch Ophthalmol. 1994; 112 ([published erratum appears in Arch Ophthalmol 1994;112:889]): 239-252 Crossref PubMed Scopus (366) Google Scholar in a large series of planned extra capsular cataract extraction and phacoemulsification procedures in which cases of phacoemulsification must be extracted, reported an incidence of 0.8%. Interestingly, Gimbel’s yearly incidence of PC tears is remarkably consistent. This would indicate that, try as we may, we cannot eliminate tears of the PC during cataract surgery.