The intracapsular versus the extracapsular cataract technique in relationship to retinal problems

Five hundred and sixty-four consecutive eyes after cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation were studied in relationship to the incidence of retinal detachment and cystoid macular edema in the intra vs the extracapsular extraction technique. In 124 eyes undergoing intracapsular cataract extraction, three (2.4%) developed retinal detachment. In 440 eyes undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction two (0.45%) developed retinal detachment. In 87 eyes undergoing intracapsular cataract extraction 7 (8%) developed cystoid macular edema. In 327 eyes undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction 4 (1.2%) developed cystoid macular edema. This study cannot be compared with other series in the literature because high risk cases and those with vitreous loss were excluded.