[Extraction of a clear lens-cataract as refractive surgery in severe myopia]

Fukals operation (extraction of a transparent lens in severe myopia) was of a long time considered risky in particular because of possible retinal complications. Based on ten years experience (1985 - 1994) the authors provide evidence that modern microsurgical methods, in particular phacoemulsification make it possible to perform this operation at a qualitatively higher level, much more safety and with a lower rate of complications. In a group of 284 operated eyes with myopia (15.96 diopters) were 4.57% transparent lenses, 37.68% with mild partial turbidity and 57.75% with dense or complete turbidity. Corrected vision 5/5 - 5/10 was achieved in 44.37%. Peroperative prolapse of the vitreous body occurred in 5.28%. The most frequent late complication was secondary cataract (26.76%). During the mean follow-up period of 37.57 months there was no case of cystoid oedema of the macula or detachment of the retina. Extraction of a transparent lens or incipient cataract in severe myopia is becoming an alternative method of other refractive operations.