[The risk factors of posterior capsule rupture in phacoemulsification of cataract]

To demonstrate the incidence of posterior capsule rupture during the phacoemulsification of cataract and the risk factors of the complication and to find ways to reduce the rate of the complication.

This retrospective chart review comprised cataract phacoemulsification performed from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009 with a total of 3,004 cases (3,186 eyes). The incidence of posterior capsule rupture and the risk factors were the main outcomes. The variables of patient age and gender; laterality of surgical eye; pre-operative visual acuity and intraocular pressure; post-operative visual acuity; the nuclear stages, presence of diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, hypertension and other diseases; history of vitrectomy the surgeons were collected and analyzed.

Male (χ2=7.82, P<0.01), pre-operative visual acuity less than 20/200 (HR=2.3, P=0.01), and the nuclear stage higher than IV (χ2=18.01, P<0.01) all statistically significantly increased in the posterior capsule rupture group (χ2=14.13, P<0.01). The post-operative visual acuity increased in both groups (2.1±1.0) LogMAR to (1.2±0.8) LogMAR, t=7.71×10(-11), P<0.01 vs (1.5±0.8) LogMAR to (0.7±0.7) LogMAR, t=1.27×10(-42), P<0.01).

Gender, pre-operative visual acuity, the nuclear stages are all significantly affect the incidence of the posterior capsule rupture. Improving training of surgeons should further reduce the frequency.