Prevention and management of corneal decompensation.

While the chances of corneal decompensation following lens implantation are low, they are greater than in nonimplant cataract surgery and increase with the passage of time postoperatively. All the factors leading to corneal decompensation are not known, but available evidence suggests the most significant is trauma at the time of surgery. The likelihood of corneal decompensation can be limited by careful patient selection and surgical techniques and by appropriate management of postoperative complications. In the event of irreversible corneal decompensation, penetrating keratoplasty, with or without removal of the implant lens, offers a substantial chance of visual rehabilitation.