Phacoemulsification in eyes with white cataracts: results and complications

To compare visual acuity and complications in phacoemulsification in eyes with white cataract and in eyes with immature senile cataract. This was a prospective study on 36 eyes in 34 patients with white cataract (group 1) and 36 eyes in 36 patients with immature senile cataract (group 2). In group 1, mean preoperative visual acuity was 1/100 and mean postoperative visual acuity was 5/10 at 1 month. Posterior capsule tears occurred in four eyes (11%). In group 2, mean preoperative visual acuity was 2/10 and mean postoperative visual acuity was 7/10 at 1 month. No posterior capsule tear was observed. The preoperative visual acuity was significantly lower in group 1 (p=1.8x10(-14)). Postoperative visual acuities were not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.07). The increase in visual acuity was significantly higher in group 1 (p=2.2x10(-11)). Our study shows that white cataract is not a risk factor of poor postoperative visual acuity and the increase in visual acuity is greater in the white cataract group than in the immature cataract group. The results of phacoemulsification in white cataracts are satisfactory in spite of a high rate of posterior capsule rupture in our study.