Endocapsular phacoemulsification and aspiration (ECPEA)--recent surgical technique and clinical results

We present our most recent technique of endocapsular phacoemulsification and aspiration (ECPEA) and report the results achieved using it in 50 consecutive eyes of 47 patients. Using a bent 0.9-mm Fragmatome tip, we removed relatively hard cataracts through 1.5-mm anterior capsular openings. With an average follow-up period of 12 months, the success rate was 72%. Causes of failure were anterior capsular openings enlarged more than 2.6 mm in nine eyes, and posterior capsular rupture in five eyes. After the incisions were extended to 6 mm, 11-mm posterior chamber lenses were inserted into the capsular bags. In the successful 36 eyes, postoperative visual acuity of better than 20/20 was achieved in 20 eyes (56%), and better than 20/40 vision in 31 (86%). Average corneal endothelial cell loss was 3.7%. Ample anterior capsular transparency was retained in 26 eyes (72%).