Phacoemulsification and the retina: cystoid macular edema

An on-going study of results and complications in a series of 1055 cataract extractions, done by Kelman phacoemulsification with up to five and one-half years' follow-up, showed that the incidence of cystoid macular edema (CME) is significantly less when the posterior capsule is left intact. This applied to capsulotomy at the time of surgery or elective discission later, with or without vitreous disturbance. CME was suspected clinically and confirmed or denied, in most cases, by fluorescein angiography.