[Phacoemulsification in myopia and negative or low powered posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation]

The study was designed to investigate the technique and clinical experience of phacoemulsification in myopia and negative or low powered posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation (PC-IOL).

120 eyes of 102 cases with myopia and cataract were included (axial length >or=28 mm) and hardness of nucleus was of grade 2 in 5 eyes, grade 3 in 84 eyes, grade 4 in 16 eyes and grade 5 in 15 eyes. Tunnel incision was made and in situ nuclear fracture technique by phacoemulsification was used. Energy and time of emulsification: 50% - 60% of energy was set up and emulsification spent 40s to 2 min. 10 s (mean, 1 min. 11.3s) for nuclear sclerosis of grade 2 or 3.65% - 70% of energy was set up and emulsification spent 48s to 1 min. 22s (mean, 68.7s) for cutting the central nucleus and removing the divided nucleus (grade 4 or 5).

There were 120 eyes in this group. Eleven to 22 months after operation (mean 14.5 months) the visual acuities of 0.5 or better with and without correction were obtained in 62.6% and 43.4% respectively. The major complications were corneal edema and rupture of posterior capsule. No retinal detachment and cystoid macular edema were found.

This operation is suitable for myopia with cataract. It is worth to spread due to good visual result, proper correction of ametropia, prevention of retinal detachment, and decrease of operative complications.