IS THE ASSESSMENT OF COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING INTRACAPSULAR AND EXTRACAPSULAR CATARACT-EXTRACTION UNBIASED

Extracapsular Cataractextraction with implantation of a posterior chamber lens has become the standard procedure in cataract surgery. Excellent results are accomplished with this method. It is remarkable, however, that there are scarcely any data about the rate of complications, e.g. capsular fibrosis with the necessity of YAG-laser-capsulotomy and its sequelae. Similarly, data on decentration of the lens, its consequences and correction are rare. The arguments against ICCE with implantation of a Choyce-Mark-IX anterior chamber lens like higher rate of retinal detachment, cystoid macular edema and corneal decompensation can not be confirmed by us on the basis of prospective clinical studies. With an appropriate operation technique equivalent results can be obtained as in ECCE. The debates about cataract surgery are carried out more on the basis of clinical impressions than on the basis of thorough scientific data. Surgery should not be a matter of "trends".