Phacoemulsification in posterior polar cataract.

Purpose: To evaluate the results and complications of phacoemulsification surgery in eyes with posterior polar cataracts and compare the techniques of viscodissection and hydrodissection.

Methods: The medical records of 29 consecutive patients (16 males, 13 females) with posterior polar cataracts (44 eyes) who had undergone cataract surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the technique used; viscodissection was applied to the experimental group (group 1) and hydrodissection to the control group (group 2).

Results: The postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.19 ± 0.22 logMAR (mean ± standard deviation) (range 0.00-0.70) in group 1 and 0.25 ± 0.18 logMAR (range 0.00-0.70) in group 2. Although the mean postoperative BCVA in group 1 was greater than that in group 2, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.165). The mean postoperative BCVA was significantly greater than the mean preoperative BCVA in both groups (p=0.00). Intraoperatively, posterior capsular rupture occurred during the removal of the cortex in three eyes (13%) of group 1 patients, with vitreous loss and anterior vitrectomy in one eye only. In group 2, six eyes (28.5%) presented posterior capsular rupture, and anterior vitrectomy was performed because of vitreous loss in three eyes. Although the percentage of posterior capsular rupture was greater in group 2, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.207).

Conclusions: Complications in posterior polar cataract surgeries can be overcome by being careful throughout the surgery and using proper techniques. Viscodissection may be better for avoiding posterior capsular rupture than hydrodissection.