Phacoemulsification in eyes with posterior polar cataract

Purpose: To evaluate the results of phacoemulsification in eyes with poster ior polar developmental cataract and to appraise the strategy for surgical management. Setting: Iladevi Cataract & IOL Research Centre, Raghudeep Eye Clinic, Ahme dabad, India. Method: This prospective study comprised 25 consecutive patients. All surge ries were performed by 1 surgeon. Endophacoemulsification was carried out a lter hydrodelineation. Hydrodissection or relation was not attempted. A 2-p ort vitrectomy was performed when necessary. Results: Mean follow-up was 13.72 months (range 7 to 22 months). Nine patie nts (36%) developed posterior capsule rupture and 8 (32%) revealed plaques. An intraocular lens (IOL) was implanted in all 25 eyes. In 8 of 9 cases wi th rupture, the haptics were placed in the sulcus; in 1 case, the IOC was p laced in the bag. One patient in the capsular rupture group developed macul ar edema 3 weeks postoperatively that responded to conservative treatment. Among 25 patients, 18 had a visual acuity of 20/20 to 20/30 and 6, 20/80 to 20/120. These 6 patients had residual posterior capsule plaque. All except 2 patients with plaque required a neodymium:YAG capsulotomy. In these pati ents, visual acuity improved to 20/30. in 1 patient, with microcornea, acui ty did not improve to beyond 20/120. Conclusion: This study confirms the predisposition to posterior capsule rup ture in eyes with posterior polar cataracts. Careful surgical planning prod uces satisfactory technical and Visual outcomes.