Treatment of traumatic cataracts

Purpose: To analyze the postoperative outcome and complication rate following cataract extraction because of post-traumatic lens opacification. Setting: University medical center. Methods: A retrospective analysis was done of 148 eyes with traumatic cataracts operated on between 1978 and 1992. Age, sex, traumatic sequelae, surgical strategies, and postoperative complications were reviewed for all eyes. Results: In 85 eyes, Group A, a history of blunt trauma could be ascertained. In 63 eyes, Group B, there had been a penetrating injury. Secondary glaucoma was observed more frequently in patients with blunt trauma. A posterior chamber intraocular lens was implanted in 85% of Group A eyes and in 67% of Group B eyes, Mild or moderate postoperative complications occurred in 15% of all cases. Postoperatively, the incidence of glaucoma remained unchanged. Visual acuity improved in 90% of eyes. Ten percent of eyes did not benefit from cataract surgery because of severe traumatic involvement of the retina or optic nerve. Conclusions: In this study, a majority of eyes with traumatic cataract were safely rehabilitated with posterior chamber lens implantation. Visual acuity improved in 90% of eyes; complications were seen in 15%.