Learning phaco in a teaching environment.

We prospectively analysed the complications and visual outcome of the first 160 phacoemulsification procedures performed by three surgeons in training under supervision. The main complications were posterior capsular tear (4,35%), vitreous loss (3,3%), nuclear loss (none) and surgical reintervention (one). Postoperative visual acuity was 0,7 or better in 94% of eyes without pre-existing pathology. Only one eye did not have a posterior chamber lens implanted.