Does surgical technique influence cataract surgery contamination?

PURPOSE: To compare cataract surgery contamination rates in large-incision extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification (PE), we studied 65 cases prospectively. METHODS: Thirty-five cases were operated by large-incision ECCE (Group I) and 30 by PE (Group II). Conjunctival swab cultures were taken immediately before surgery and anterior chamber aspirate was taken for culture upon completion of surgery for each case. RESULTS: Anterior chamber cultures were positive in 22.8% of the cases in group I and 23% in Group II. Frequencies of contamination in each group were no different (x2: 0.22, p>0.05). When the contaminations were evaluated in relation to operating time, prolongation of the operating time raised the contamination rate in Group I (p<0.05) but not in Group II (p>0.05). Silicone and PMMA intraocular lenses (IOL) were tested to see whether they had any additional risk of contamination. The frequencies of contaminated silicone IOL implanted cases (6/26) and contaminated PMMA IOL implanted cases (8/39) were similar (x2: 0.36, p>0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the architecture of the incision and irrigation dynamics provided an advantage to the PE technique as the operating time became longer, routine PE was not superior to classical ECCE with respect to contamination when performed in the same circumstances. Prolonging the operating time raised the contamination rate in classical ECCE.     

Effect of intraocular lens and anterior capsule opening type on posterior capsule opacification.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of intraocular lens (IOL) type and anterior capsulectomy technique on the incidence of posterior capsule opacification. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty, University of Ondokuz Mayis, Samsun, Turkey. METHODS: Three hundred two eyes of 294 patients were examined retrospectively after IOL implantation in the capsular bag performed between February 1991 and November 1996. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to IOL type: poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA); heparin-surface-modified PMMA (HSM PMMA); plate-haptic silicone. Envelope capsulectomy or continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) was used. Mean follow-up was 27 months (range 12 to 33 months). RESULTS: Posterior capsule opacification developed in 47 cases (15.6%): 21.7% in the PMMA lens group after planned extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), 17.4% in the HSM PMMA lens group after planned ECCE, and 7.7% in the plate-haptic silicone lens group after phacoemulsification. Posterior capsule opacification occurred less in patients who had anterior capsulectomy using the CCC technique (11.5%) than in those having an envelope capsulectomy (24.5%) (P < .05). Posterior capsule opacification was significantly less in eyes with a capsular-bag-fixated plate-haptic silicone lens than in those with a PMMA or HSM PMMA IOL (P < .05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the anterior capsulectomy technique and the IOL type influence the incidence of PCO.     

Bacterial contamination: epidemiology in cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate anterior chamber (AC) bacterial contamination at the end of cataract surgery in a large series of patients, to determine the influence of operative technique on ocular contamination. METHODS: Retrospective study of 2,624 patients undergoing cataract extraction, 354 extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and 2,270 phacoemulsification. Anterior chamber aspirates were performed on completion of surgery for microbiological studies. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty two patients (5%) had culture-positive anterior chamber aspirates. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Propionibacterium sp. and Corynebacterium sp. were the most commonly isolated organisms. The AC contamination rates during ECCE (5.6%) and phacoemulsification (4.7%) were not statistically different. There was a statistically significantly higher risk of AC contamination in eyes receiving an intraocular lens (IOL) with polypropylene haptics (9.9%) than in eyes receiving the same IOL with polymethylmethacrylate haptics (4.4%). CONCLUSION: Surgical technique had no statistically significant effect on ocular contamination. Polypropylene haptics IOLs were associated with a higher risk of bacterial contamination.     

玻璃体晶状体联合手术中晶状体囊的处理

目的 观察玻璃体晶状体联合手术中晶状体囊不同的处理对效果的影响。方法 保留后囊组：24例晶状体超声乳化吸出术后，13例在前房注人黏弹剂及缝合角膜切口后再行玻璃体切除手术，11例未行类似处理。保留前囊组：27例经睫状体平坦部行晶状体切除术，10例在前囊中央咬切3mm的圆孔，17例保留完整前囊。结果 保留后囊组：在前房及角膜切口未行处理的病例中，4例(36％)在玻璃体切除中损伤后囊，而经过处理的病例后囊均保持完整。保留前囊组：所有病例在术后1月均出现逐渐加重的前囊浑浊，在前囊中央造孔的病例，通过小孔可窥见眼底。结论 玻璃体晶状体联合手术，前房填充致弹剂并缝合角膜切口可以减少术中后囊的损伤；前囊中央造孔有利于术后眼底观察。     

Small incisions to control astigmatism during cataract surgery

Astigmatic changes in three series of cataract surgical procedures were compared. Two series comprised eyes having phacoemulsification and implantation of a foldable silicone lens through a 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm incision or a 5.8 mm diameter polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) lens through a 6.0 mm incision. The third series comprised eyes having a planned extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) procedure through a 10.0 mm incision and implantation of a PMMA posterior chamber lens. Surgically induced cylinder changes were compared by examining preoperative and postoperative dioptric cylinder power changes without regard to axis changes and by using vector analysis to compute induced cylinder for cases with axis changes. Both phacoemulsification series had similar mean induced cylinder levels, which were significantly less than mean induced cylinder in the ECCE group at both three and six months after surgery. Over 70% of the eyes in the two small incision phacoemulsification groups achieved an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better at three months, whereas only 28% of the ECCE group achieved that acuity. We concluded that the phacoemulsification procedure induced significantly less astigmatism and provided faster visual rehabilitation than the ECCE procedure. Furthermore, the use of small diameter PMMA IOLs inserted through small incisions minimized surgically induced cylinder in a way comparable to the use of foldable silicone implants, while maintaining good visual results with fewer postoperative complications.     

Microbial contamination of the anterior chamber during phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To study the nature and frequency of anterior chamber contamination during phacoemulsification. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India. METHODS: Eighty eyes of 80 patients having routine phacoemulsification cataract surgery were recruited into this prospective study. Bacterial cultures from the intraoperative anterior chamber aspirates from the patients were assessed. RESULTS: Anterior chamber fluid aspirates were positive for bacteria in 37 eyes (46.25%). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most common aerobe and Propionibacterium acnes, the most common anaerobe. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that phacoemulsification has no proven advantage over conventional extracapsular cataract extraction in reducing intraoperative bacterial contamination.     

Retinal detachment after cataract surgery

Background: A study of the characteristics and the results obtained in 99 consecutive eyes operated on for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with aphakia or pseudophakia in order to find the predictive factors of poor anatomical and functional results. Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the files of 99 consecutive cases of aphakic and pseudophakic retinal detachment operated on by the same surgeon between January 1992 through July 1993 with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Multivariate and chi square analysis were carried out. Results: Of the pseudophakic eyes, 25 had an anterior chamber lens and 48 had a posterior chamber lens. The posterior capsule was disrupted using a Yag laser in 58% of those with an posterior chamber lens but only 14% of them developed detachment within 6 months. The rate of vitreous loss was 27% with 5% in case of intracapsular extraction, 31% in case of extracapsular extraction and 54% in case of phacoemulsification. PVR was present in 30% of the patients and 51% of detachments occurred more than 24 months as a mean after cataract surgery. The overall anatomic reattachment rate was 88% with no significant difference between the aphakic and the pseudophakic patients, either with an anterior chamber of posterior chamber lens. Visual results were significantly worse in the anterior chamber lens group and in the aphakic eyes (P < 0.02). Negative prognostic indicators for reattachment included poor preoperative vision, extension of the retinal detachment to the macula (P < 0.05) and grades B, C or D proliferative vitreoretinopathy (P < 0.01). In addition to the above factors, eyes with vitreous loss, anterior chamber lens, aphakia and a larger extent of the retinal detachment had a poor visual outcome. Conclusion: Most aphakic or pseudophakic retinal detachment can now be reattached with either scleral or vitreo retinal surgery. The main difficulties are the localisation of the breaks and the treatment of PVR. Indirect ophthalmoscopy associated with vitrectomy does well in cases of an opacified posterior capsule. In cases of severe PVR long term internal tamponade either with C3F8 or silicone oil improves anatomical results but the functional results remain inferior.     

国产硅凝胶人工晶状体植入及小切口非超声乳化白内障术分析

目的 探讨小切口非超声乳化白内障及硅凝胶人工晶状体植入术的临床效果,对比国产硅凝胶人工晶状体和进口硅凝胶人工晶状体的疗效.方法 对98例(103只眼)施行小切口非超声乳化后分别植入国产艾克伦晶状体和进口Canon starr晶状体的患者进行随机分组,对术后1d、1周、1月、3月、6月视力、前房炎症及其他并发症进行观察记录.结果 术后最佳矫正视力≥1.0者24只眼(23.53%),(70.59%)的本眼最佳矫正视力≥0.5,无严重并发症发生.结论 小切口非超声乳化白内障术后植入国产艾克伦硅凝胶晶状体和进口Canon starr硅凝胶晶状体疗效接近.     

深圳地区近3a白内障手术趋势探讨

目的:分析深圳地区近3a白内障手术趋势。方法:通过统计出入院相关资料,回顾近3a(2007-01/2009-12)在我院住院治疗的白内障患者,对白内障类型及手术方式进行统计分析。结果:我院2007-01/2009-12住院治疗白内障患者10058例,其中男4284例(42.59%),女5774例(57.41%),男女比例约为1:1.35;年龄3月龄～99岁,平均67.03±15.37岁;2007年共2803例(27.87%),年龄4月龄～99岁,平均66.06±16.76岁,2008年共3265例(32.46%),年龄3月龄～96岁,平均66.16±15.61岁,2009年共3990例(39.67%),年龄5月龄～99岁,平均67.82±14.94岁;白内障类型:老年性白内障9000例(89.48%),并发性白内障565例(5.62%),外伤性白内障265例(2.63%),先天性白内障178例(1.77%),代谢性白内障14例(0.14%),无晶状体眼36例(0.36%);手术方式:白内障超声乳化摘除联合折叠型后房型人工晶状体植入术9499例(94.44%),白内障囊外摘除联合人工晶状体植入术220例(2.19%),白内障囊外摘除术100例(1.00%),二期人工晶状体植入术228例(2.27%),未行手术11例(0.1%)。结论:深圳地区近3a来白内障住院患者数量逐年递增,老年性白内障是最主要的白内障类型,超声乳化白内障摘除联合折叠型人工晶状体植入术是治疗白内障稳定、占优势地位的手术方式。     

Pseudo-accommodation with intraocular lenses implanted in the bag

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accommodation potential in eyes after intraocular lens in-the-bag implantation. METHODS: Fifty-one consecutive patients were included in the study. Group 1 included 26 eyes that had phacoemulsification with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and in-the-bag implanted foldable IOL. Twenty-five eyes in Group 2 had capsulotomy with extracapsular cataract extraction and were implanted with polymethylmethacrylate IOL. Time elapsed from surgery was at least 6 months. There was no significant difference for age or gender between groups (P > .05). We measured accommodation amplitude and depth of the anterior chamber at distance and near fixation with an ultrasonic biometry device. The results were compared using the unpaired Student t-test. RESULTS: The anterior chamber depths while fixating at a distant object were not significantly different between groups (P>.05), however, at near the difference was statistically significant (P=.008). The change in depths between far and near fixation was significantly different (P=.002) and was more pronounced in the the capsulorhexis group (P < .001). The accommodation amplitudes in this group were significantly greater than in the capsulotomy group (P = .025). CONCLUSION: Patients who had uncomplicated small incision phacoemulsification surgery with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and in-the-bag implanted lens seemed to preserve some pseudo-accommodation after surgery.     

儿童超声乳化白内障吸除联合折叠式人工晶状体植入术

目的 探讨儿童超声乳白内障吸除联合丙烯酸酯（Acrysof)折叠式人工晶状体（intraocular lenses,IOL)植入术的手术疗效。方法 对行超声乳化白内障吸除联合Acysof折叠式OL植入术的超声乳化组患儿61例（76只眼）及行现代囊外白内障摘除联合聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯（polymethylmethacrylate,PMMA)硬性IOL植入术的囊外摘除组患儿59例（77只眼）,术后随访6－18个月,观察、比较术后视力、并发症和Q－开关掺钕钇铝石榴石（Q－switched neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet,Nd:YAG)激光后囊膜切开手术率的情况。结果 超声乳化组和囊外摘除组脱盲率分别为100％、90．6％;脱残率分别为72．6％、51．5％;后囊膜混浊发生率依次为6．6％、80．5％,Nd：YAG激光后囊膜切开手术率依次为2．6％、64．9％。两组比较,脱盲率差异无显著性（P＞0．05）;脱残率差异有显著性（P＜0．05）;术后各种并发症的发生率和Nd:YAG激光后囊膜切开手术率差异有非常显著性（P＜0．01）。结论 超声乳化白内障吸除联合Acrysof折叠IOL植入术,以手术切口小、组织损伤轻、负压吸引可最大限度清除残存晶状体上皮细胞等特点及IOL材料优良的组织相容性,使手术疗效显著,术后并发症减少;Acrysof折叠式IOL在治疗儿童白内障手术中的远期效果尚待进一步研究。     

晶状体玻璃体切除联合硅油填充术中晶状体囊的处理

目的探讨晶状体玻璃体切除联合眼内硅油填充术中保留前囊或后囊的作用。方法用晶状体玻璃体切除联合硅油填充治疗30例30眼伴增生性玻璃体视网膜病变的视网膜脱离患者，根据白内障手术方式不同分2组。保留后囊组：13眼术前检查为非外伤性白内障行超声乳化吸出保留后囊；保留前囊组：17眼采用经睫状体平坦部晶状体切除，并保留前囊。8眼行二期后房型人工晶状体植入。结果保留后囊组：13眼均保留了完整的晶状体后囊；保留前囊组：17眼中除3眼原有晶状体前囊小破口外，14眼保留了完整的晶状体前囊。术后随访6～24月，平均9月，无1眼发生角膜变性，近期一过性高眼压3眼，8眼二期后房型人工晶状体植入位置良好。结论晶状体玻璃体切除联合硅油填充术中保留前囊或后囊可减少角膜变性、继发青光眼的发生率，并有利于二期后房型人工晶状体植入。[眼科新进展2005；25（5）：442—443]     

Ultrasound biomicroscopy examination of intraocular lens haptic position after phacoemulsification with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and extracapsular cataract extraction with linear capsulotomy.

PURPOSE: Intraocular lens (IOL) haptic position in 35 eyes that had undergone cataract surgery was examined with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). METHODS: In a prospective randomized study the patients were operated by phacoemulsification using continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) (group I) or by extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) using linear capsulotomy (group II). Ultrasound biomicroscopy was used to localize both haptics of the implanted intraocular lenses and to measure anterior chamber depth (ACD), iris thickness and anterior chamber angle. The inflammatory reaction in the anterior chamber was assessed with laser flare photometry. Slit lamp examination was performed. RESULTS: Both IOL haptics were found in the lens capsule in all 18 eyes in group I. In group II one of the haptics was located out of the capsule in 7 of 17 eyes (41%). The difference is statistically significant (p=0.01). Postoperatively mean ACD measured with the UBM was 4.06+/-0.30 mm in group I and 3.64+/-0.24 mm in group II (p=0.00025). CONCLUSION: The UBM examinations indicate that phacoemulsification with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis is a more reliable technique than ECCE with linear capsulotomy to achieve implantation of the intraocular lens haptics in the capsular bag.     

Phacoemulsification in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic uveitis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of phacoemulsification with capsular bag fixation of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), acrylic, or silicone intraocular lens (IOL) in patients with complicated cataract resulting from Fuchs' heterochromic uveitis (FHU). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. METHODS: This study evaluated 20 eyes of 19 patients with FHU and cataract who had uneventful phacoemulsification with endocapsular implantation of an IOL and completed a 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Preoperatively, loss of the iris collarette and fine keratic precipitates were seen in all 20 eyes, iris heterochromia in 16, iris atrophy in 12, and iris nodules in 2. Fourteen eyes had mild or negligible preoperative anterior chamber inflammation. No eye had increased intraocular pressure. An acrylic IOL was implanted in 10 eyes, a silicone IOL in 4, and a PMMA IOL in 6. There were no significant differences in outcomes among the 3 IOL groups. Three patients had intraoperative hyphema that resolved spontaneously. Postoperatively, 16 eyes had mild anterior chamber reaction. Four patients had significant anterior chamber inflammation necessitating the use of frequent topical steroids. No case had secondary glaucoma or posterior synechias. The best corrected visual acuity was 6/5 in 6 eyes, 6/6 in 11, and 6/9 in 3. CONCLUSIONS: Uneventful phacoemulsification with endocapsular IOL implantation visually rehabilitated patients with FHU. All 3 IOLs yielded similar results except for increased early postoperative inflammation and late dense anterior capsule opacification in the silicone group. Further studies comparing the outcome of different IOL materials are required to determine their effectiveness in patients with FHU.     

Microbiologic analysis of aqueous humor in phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: This study was designed as a microbiologic survey of the fluids aspirated from the anterior chamber at the end of cataract extraction performed by phacoemulsification, and to correlate the contamination rate of the anterior chamber to the surgical technique used. METHODS: One hundred and one consecutive patients (126 eyes) who underwent cataract extraction by phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation were included in the study. Microscopical examination, culture, and determination of the number of colonies were carried out on the bacteria and fungi in the anterior chamber fluids aspirated at the end of surgery, before final suture placement. RESULTS: Anterior chamber fluids yielded positive cultures in nine specimens (8.14%), six of which were identified as coagulase-negative staphylococci. Quantification disclosed colony counts ranging between 2-10 and 10-40 per mL. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results in a small population show that the contamination of the aqueous humor is significantly less frequent if the cataract extraction is performed by phacoemulsification.     

手术治疗糖尿病性白内障60眼临床分析

目的:分析小切口白内障囊外摘出人工晶状体植入术和超声乳化白内障吸除人工晶状体植入术治疗糖尿病性白内障的疗效及并发症。方法:选择2006-01/2010-01确诊为糖尿病性白内障患者52例60眼,Ⅱ～Ⅲ级核47眼,采用超声乳化白内障吸除后房型人工晶状体植入术;Ⅳ～Ⅴ级核13眼,采用小切口白内障囊外摘出后房型人工晶状体植入术。结果:糖尿病患者52例60眼白内障术后视力均有不同程度的提高,其中50眼(83%)术后1wk裸眼视力≥0.4。术中术后主要并发症经处理对术后视力无影响。结论:对糖尿病性白内障患者采取恰当的术式,施行小切口白内障囊外摘出人工晶状体植入术或超声乳化白内障吸除人工晶状体植入术疗效肯定。     

Different techniques of extracapsular cataract extraction: bacterial contamination during surgery

This study was performed to investigate the correlation between the contamination of the anterior chamber and the technique of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE). Three different methods were used: uncomplicated planned ECCE, phacoemulsification involving suturing method, and sutureless technique. All patients had posterior chamber intraocular lenses implanted. Two hundred and thirty consecutive patients were included in this prospective study, and preoperative smears of the conjunctiva and intraoperative aspirates of the anterior chamber were investigated. Samples of the aqueous humor were taken at the beginning and at the end of the operation. Cultures were incubated and held for 14 days. More than 71% of the preoperative smears were contaminated by coagulase-negative staphylococci, the most commonly isolated bacteria. However, 27% of the patients had culture-positive anterior chamber aspirates intraoperatively, also with coagulase-negative staphylococci as the most frequent organisms. In no case did postoperative endophthalmitis develop. Preliminary results in a small population show that the contamination of the aqueous humor is statistically significantly less frequent if the cataract extraction is performed by phacoemulsification than if it is done without phacoemulsification. Another interesting finding is that anterior chamber contamination is not significantly more frequent, if a sutureless technique is used for cataract surgery.     

Late pigmented-membrane formation on silicone intraocular lenses after phacoemulsification with or without trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of late inflammatory membrane formation with pigment precipitates on foldable silicone or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lenses (IOLs) after phacoemulsification with or without simultaneous trabeculectomy and to identify probable causative factors. SETTING: Eye Department, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, and the Faculty of Medicine, the Technion, Haifa, Israel. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 155 eyes (140 patients) were divided into 4 groups by the surgery performed: Group 1, phacoemulsification combined with trabeculectomy and foldable silicone IOL implantation (12 eyes); Group 2, phacoemulsification combined with trabeculectomy and PMMA IOL implantation (15 eyes); Group 3, phacoemulsification alone with foldable silicone IOL implantation (66 eyes); Group 4, phacoemulsification alone with PMMA IOL implantation (62 eyes). Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were compared. RESULTS: Late inflammatory membranes were found on the anterior surface of 33% of the IOLs in Group 1, 3% in Group 3, and none in Groups 2 and 4. Membranes developed 3 to 4 months after surgery, were resistant to topical corticosteroid treatment and required repeated neodymium:YAG laser treatments. No correlation with preoperative, intraoperative, or postoperative factors was found. CONCLUSION: Foldable silicone IOLs may induce late postoperative inflammatory membranes with pigment precipitates, especially after combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy.     

Cystoid macular edema in anterior chamber lens implantation following posterior capsule rupture

By comparing the incidence of cystoid macular edema (CME) in three groups of patients having different surgical procedures, we attempted to assess the role of vitreous loss as a risk factor for CME development. In the first group (n = 470), the surgical procedure was extracapsular cataract extraction followed by implantation of posterior chamber lens (EC-CE + PC-IOL). The second group (n = 42) had extracapsular cataract extraction which was complicated by posterior capsule rupture, and therefore anterior vitrectomy followed by implantation of anterior chamber lens had to be performed (ECCE + anterior vitrectomy + AC-IOL). In the third group (n = 22) the surgery was intracapsular cataract extraction followed by anterior chamber lens implantation (ICCE + AC-IOL). The third group was included in this follow up study to assess the role of AC-IOL as a possible causative factor for development of CME in uncomplicated cases of ICCE and AC-IOL. The difference of incidences of CME in the second and third group would therefore depend mostly on the vitreous loss. The incidence of CME diagnosed by fluorescein angiography in the first, second and third group was 1.5% (7/470), 35.7% (15/42) and 9.0% (2/22), respectively. All patients who developed CME were treated with combination of corticosteroid-antibiotic drops, dexamethasone retrobulbarly (40 mg/day) and peroral indomethacine (25 mg/day/6 weeks). This therapeutic regime resulted in only moderate improvement of visual acuity.Abbreviations AC-IOL anterior chamber intraocular lens - CME cystoid macular edema - ECCE extracapsular cataract extraction - ICCE intracapsular cataract extraction - IOL intraocular lens - PC-IOL posterior chamber intraocular lens     

Intraoperative capsular block syndrome masquerading as expulsive hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical features of two cases of intraoperative capsular block syndrome (CBS) mimicking expulsive hemorrhage. SETTING: The Eye Institute at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, National Healthcare Group, Singapore. METHODS: Two case reports. RESULTS: Two patients underwent phacoemulsification under retrobulbar anesthesia and developed severe globe hardening, shallow anterior chamber (AC) and uveal prolapse intraoperatively after hydrodissection. The AC spontaneously deepened in one patient and the operation was converted to extracapsular cataract surgery on suspicion of CBS with posterior capsule rupture, which was confirmed after nucleus expression; anterior vitrectomy was done and an anterior chamber lens implanted. At the eight post-operative month, his best-corrected visual acuity was 6/24 secondary to an epiretinal membrane in the macula. CBS, however, was not recognized in the other patient and caused posterior lens dislocation during attempted phacoemulsification. This patient underwent vitrectomy, removal of the lens nucleus and insertion of a posterior chamber intraocular lens in the sulcus the next day. His best-corrected visual acuity was 6/9 at the tenth postoperative month. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative CBS may mimic expulsive hemorrhage. Early diagnosis of this condition and proper management optimizes the visual outcome.