Single-piece foldable acrylic intraocular lens implantation in the sulcus in eyes with posterior capsule tear during phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To evaluate early and late period results of the implantation of single-piece foldable acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) in the sulcus in eyes developing a posterior capsule tear (PCT) during phacoemulsification (PE). SETTING: S.S.K. Vakif Gureba Training Hospital Eye Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey. METHODS: This prospective and noncomparative study consisted of 89 eyes of 88 patients in which PCT developed, with or without vitreous loss, and that were followed up for at least 1 year. The IOL was implanted in the sulcus in all eyes with sufficient capsule support. Postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anterior segment biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure (IOP), IOL centralization, and fundus were analyzed. RESULTS: Temporary corneal edema, the most frequently observed cause of reduced vision in the early period, appeared in 33 eyes; high IOP in 17 eyes; anterior chamber inflammatory reaction in 5 eyes; clinical cystoid macular edema in 7 eyes; and retinal detachment in 1 eye. The IOL was decentered in 4 eyes and dislocated in 1 eye. Repositioning was performed in 2 eyes. No IOL was removed. In the early period, BCVA was 5/10 and above in 41 eyes; the final BCVA was 4/10 and below in 16 eyes and of 5/10 and above in 73 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The implantation of foldable acrylic IOL in the sulcus in eyes developing posterior capsule tear during phacoemulsification surgery maintains the advantages of a small incision. Postoperative visual results were good, complications were few, and IOLs were centered.