Retrocapsular lens fragments after uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To analyze the factors influencing the risk for lens fragments in the retrocapsular space after uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Setting: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, United Kingdom. METHODS: Five hundred six consecutive patients who had uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery were examined intraoperatively for lens fragments in the retrocapsular space. Data collected for each patient included site of corneal incision, axial length, cataract nuclear density, phaco power and duration, and equivalent phaco time (EPT, calculated as a product of phaco power and duration). Statistical analysis was performed to determine the effect of each factor on the risk for developing retrocapsular lens fragments. RESULTS: Retrocapsular lens fragments were present in 16.6% of patients. Univariate analysis showed that the duration of phacoemulsification and EPT were significantly longer in patients with retrocapsular lens fragments than in those without. Logistic regression showed that EPT was the only factor statistically significantly associated with the fragments. However, the effect of EPT on the odds ratio of developing fragments was small. CONCLUSIONS: Lens fragments in the retrocapsular space occurred relatively frequently after uneventful phacoemulsification surgery. There was a small but statistically significant relationship between EPT and the risk for lens fragments.