Complications in 1,000 Consecutive Intracapsular Cataract Extractions

Abstract

In a series of 1,000 consecutive intracapsular cataract extractions, the most important peroperative complications were rupture of the capsule in 6.5% of the cases and vitreous loss in 3.0%. The most important immediate postoperative complications were delay in wound closure in 2.7% of the cases, iritis in 2.9%, ocular hypertension in 3.4%, and some other complications. The late complications were an Irvine-Gass syndrome in 2.8% of the cases, an epithelial downgrowth in the anterior chamber in 0.6%, and a retinal detachment in 2%. Α-Chymotrypsin often causes a temporary ocular hypertension (in at least 25.2% of the cases). The functional results are very good, when there is no pre-existing ocular pathology: in 90%o of the cases the vision was 7/10 or more.