Phacoemulsification in eyes with white cataracts: results and complications

Purpose: To compare visual acuity and complications in phacoemulsification in eyes with white cataract and in eyes with immature senile cataract. Patients and methods: This was a prospective study on 36 eyes in 34 patients with white cataract (group 1) and 36 eyes in 36 patients with immature senile cataract (group 2). Results: In group 1, mean preoperative visual acuity was 1/100 and mean postoperative visual acuity was 5/10 at 1 month. Posterior capsule tears occurred in four eyes (11%). In group 2, mean preoperative visual acuity was 2/10 and mean postoperative visual acuity was 7/10 at 1 month. No posterior capsule tear was observed. The preoperative visual acuity was significantly lower in group 1 (p=1.8x10(-14)). Postoperative visual acuities were not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.07). The increase in visual acuity was significantly higher in group 1 (p=2.2x10(-11)). Discussion: Our study shows that white cataract is not a risk factor of poor postoperative visual acuity and the increase in visual acuity is greater in the white cataract group than in the immature cataract group. Conclusion: The results of phacoemulsification in white cataracts are satisfactory in spite of a high rate of posterior capsule rupture in our study.