EXFOLIATION SYNDROME AND PHACOEMULSIFICAT ION

Purpose Exfoliation syndrome (ES) is often considered as a poor indica tion for phacoemulsification because of zonular weakness, capsular wea kness and poor pupil dilatation. Methods We evaluated from January 199 2 to December 1992 a serie of 107 consecutive eyes with ES and undergo ing cataract surgery or combined cataract-glaucoma surgery. The pupil was surgically enlarged if the diameter was less-than-or-equal-to 5 mm . Results During surgery, only one case of zonular dialysis without vi treous loss was observed. The incidence of postoperative complications was low (6 hyphemas and 8 inflammatory reactions) and visual results were satisfactory. Conclusion Phacoemulsification can be used routinel y in eyes with ES if a careful peroperative protocol is followed pupil lary dilatation, wide capsulorhexis, total nucleus hydrodissection.