The visual results after vitreous loss during cataract extraction.

We followed the progress of 50 eyes in which cataract extraction was complicated by vitreous loss for 6 to 48 months and matched them with 50 eyes that had not lost vitreous. The results show that the number of eyes attaining 6/6 (20/20) or 6/7.5 (20/25) vision is significantly higher in the controls. All eyes that had vitreous loss retained useful vision. A comparison between our cases managed by vitrectomy and those of vitreous loss without vitrectomy reported in the literature, showed that vitrectomy gave better visual results with fewer complications.