INCIDENCE OF LENS MATTER DISLOCATION DURING PHACOEMULSIFICATION

Purpose: To assess the incidence and visual morbidity of lens matter d islocation during phacoemulsification and the relationship between thi s complication and surgical experience. Setting: Teaching and district general hospitals. Methods: A multiple-choice questionnaire was sent to members of the Northern and Midlands Ophthalmological Societies. Th ey were asked about the incidence of lens matter dislocation, the visu al outcome of the cases, and their surgical experience. Results: Forty -seven of the 177 survey respondents (26.5%) were using phacoemulsific ation. The incidence of lens matter dislocation was 1.1%; 49.0% of the surgeons had experienced at least one case. The incidence increased s ignificantly when surgeons assessed their expertise with phacoemulsifi cation toward the expert end of the scale. Final visual acuity was wor se than 6/12 in 35.0% of cases. Conclusions: The incidence of lens mat ter dislocation with phacoemulsification is significant and related to an incorrect assessment of expertise by the surgeons. The considerabl e visual morbidity associated with this complication can be minimized using the management strategy discussed.