Defects of Descemet's membrane as a complication in cataract extraction with lens implantation.

As a complication of cataract extraction with lens implantation, a detachment of the Descemet's membrane can occur. In 1,163 eyes that were cataract operated during 1 year (1,060 extracapsularly--973 of them got a Kratz elliptical posterior chamber lens and 39 a Mark Choyce IX anterior chamber lens implantation--and 103 intracapsularly) 69 showed Descemet's detachments of a width of 0.5-2 mm, mostly located between 10 and 1 h. As a rule a reattachment is possible by air, Healon injection and rinsing with Ringer's solution. Normally, the peripheric clouded stroma and the edema of the epithelium regenerate postoperatively. Extensive Descemet's detachments lead to corneal dystrophy. The detachment of the Descemet's membrane is caused by intrusion of the instruments into the anterior chamber or by implantation of the lens.