[Traumatic cataracts. Surgical methods and results in 106 patients]

Eyes with traumatic cataracts comprise a very heterogeneous group with respect to morphological and functional changes in the anterior and posterior segments. In the current study, data on 106 eyes with traumatic cataracts were analyzed. All eyes had undergone surgery at the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Heidelberg between 1987 and 1991. There was a total of 55 blunt (group A) and 51 perforating (group 2) injuries. The male-to-female ratio was 2:1; the mean age was 54.8 (+/- 15.2) years in group 1 and 43.7 (+/- 19.1) years in group 2. In 91.4% of the eyes in group A without zonular defects (A1, n = 35) and 65% with zonular defects (A2, n = 20) a posterior chamber IOL was implanted. This value was 66.7% following perforating injuries (B, n = 51). Mean visual acuity was 0.68 +/- 0.29 for group A1, 0.56 +/- 0.35 for group A2, and 0.52 +/- 0.30 for group B. In 7.5% of all eyes additional surgery was required because of delayed complications. Overall, relatively good visual acuity was obtained, but results largely depended on the severity of traumatic damage to the eye and the status of the zonular/capsular apparatus.