Incidence of lens matter dislocation during phacoemulsification.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence and visual morbidity of lens matter dislocation during phacoemulsification and the relationship between this complication and surgical experience.


METHODS
Teaching and district general hospitals.


METHODS
A multiple-choice questionnaire was sent to members of the Northern and Midlands Ophthalmological Societies. They were asked about the incidence of lens matter dislocation, the visual outcome of the cases, and their surgical experience.


RESULTS
Forty-seven of the 177 survey respondents (26.5%) were using phacoemulsification. The incidence of lens matter dislocation was 1.1%; 49.0% of the surgeons had experienced at least one case. The incidence increased significantly when surgeons assessed their expertise with phacoemulsification toward the expert end of the scale. Final visual acuity was worse than 6/12 in 35.0% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of lens matter dislocation with phacoemulsification is significant and related to an incorrect assessment of expertise by the surgeons. The considerable visual morbidity associated with this complication can be minimized using the management strategy discussed.
Pande
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, England.
Dabbs
T R
TR
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007906:Lens Subluxation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014792:Visual Acuity