A long-term follow-up of cataract extraction with and without intraocular lens implantation

In 176 consecutive intracapsular cataract extracted eyes with an iris clip lens (IOL) and 159 eyes with consecutively performed intracapsular extractions (ICCE), the visual outcome and complications were examined in a follow-up study. The average observation time was 48 months in the IOL group and 53 months in the ICCE group. In both groups the main cause of a visual acuity less than 0.5 was pre-operatively recognized maculopathy. Eighty-six per cent of the remaining IOL eyes and 93% of the remaining ICCE eyes achieved a visual acuity greater than or equal to 0.5. Post-operative complications were the cause of a visual acuity less than 0.5 in 11.9% of the IOL and 6.9% of the ICCE group. The most frequent complications were corneal oedema and retinal detachment. Pre-operative and early post-operative complications were important factors in the development of late complications in the IOL group. With proper pre-operative evaluation and good surgical technique intraocular lens implantation is a safe procedure.