Visual results and complications of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation performed by ophthalmology residents

The authors retrospectively analyzed the visual outcome and incidence of complications of 181 consecutive cases of phacoemulsification performed by eight third-year ophthalmology residents. A posterior chamber intraocular lens was implanted in 179 of these eyes. Vitreous loss occurred in 5.5% of cases. The overall incidence of posterior capsule rupture was 9.9%; of the 18 posterior capsular ruptures, 72% were detected during cortical removal and 22% during nuclear emulsification. Postoperative follow-up for 177 eyes was at least 2 months, and 70% were followed for 6 months or longer. Final best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better was obtained in 92.6% of eyes. These results are comparable with previous reports of residents' experience in performing planned extracapsular cataract extraction. With appropriate training and faculty supervision, residents learning to perform phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation can achieve acceptable results.