[Evaluation of 200 extracapsular cataract extractions using the envelope technique]

To present own results of extracapsular cataract extraction with the use of the envelope technique.

200 patients (110 male, 87 female and 3 children) aged from 7 to 86 years operated in the Department of Ophthalmology in Bydgoszcz from December 1992 to May 1996, including patients with congenital, senile, presenile cataract or with diabetes.

In 187 patients (93.5%) final distance visual acuity was 0.7-1.0. Visual acuity less than 0.7 wasn't related with surgical procedure itself. In 8 patients corneal edema, lasting for a few days, was observed postoperatively. After treatment with systemic steroids all the symptoms resolved-not effecting final visual acuity.

Cataract extraction with the use of an envelope technique allows for stable IOL placement in the lens capsule and decreases postoperative corneal reaction to minimum.