[Detachment of Descemet's membrane in cataract surgery]

Six cases are reported of detachment of Descemet's membrane as a complication of the extraction of 1253 cataracts--a frequency of 0.5%. In two of the cases faulty surgical technique was thought to be the cause of the detachment. There appears to be an anatomic predisposition for detachment in the elderly. In two patients Descemet's membrane reattached itself without postoperative sequelae. On the other hand, in spite of complete clinical reattachment of the membrane in three patients and partial reattachment in another, stromal and epithelial edema at the level of the detachment persisted and progressed to stromal opacity.