Management of Posterior Capsular Tear during Phacoemulsification

Phacomulsification has become the method of choice for cataract surgery. It allows cataract extraction through a small incision so providing faster visual rehabilitation and less induced astigmatism. A 1996 survey in the United States found phacoemulsi-fication to be the preferred method of cataract extraction by the majority of surgeons with only 3% surgeons not using these techniques[1]In Egypt, it is worth noting that more and more surgeons are adopting this technique as their routine method of cataract extraction. Phacoemulsification is relatively more demanding than conventional extracapsular cataract surgery, thus during the learning process there is perception of increased risk of complications [2].Phacoemulsification requires the preservation of posterior capsule for successful lens removal and subsequent intra ocular lens implantation rupture of the posterior capsular commonly associated with vitreous loss. Vitreous loss is one of the most dreaded complication of cataract surgery which can lead to sever visual disability and sometimes blinding complication such as retinal detachment &cystoid macular edema. Early detection of vitreous loss can prevent more severe consequences such as nucleus DROP into the vitreous cavity. Here the complications related to the posterior capsule & vitreous prolaps during phacoemulsification and their management will be discussed [3].