Posterior capsulotomy and retinal detachment following extracapsular lens surgery.

A retrospective analysis of the results of extracapsular cataract surgery with and without implant is presented. Surgery was performed by a group of consultants and registrars from 1975 to 1982, and minimum patient follow-up was 12 months (mean 26.2 months). The incidence of postoperative capsulotomy was 14.3%, but the need for this procedure declines, becoming negligible after 3.5 years. Of 242 eligible eyes, aphakic retinal detachment occurred in only one.