Cataract extraction with lens implantation at Biloxi Veterans Affairs Medical Center: experience of ophthalmology residents.

We reviewed and analyzed the visual acuities achieved and the complications after 949 cataract operations done by ophthalmology residents during the transitional period in which an intracapsular cataract extraction technique was replaced by an extracapsular one. The available records of all patients from 1982 through 1991 were reviewed. Eighteen intracapsular and 896 extracapsular cataract extractions were performed, followed by 906 primary and 43 secondary implants. Posterior capsular rupture occurred in 6.3% of the cases with vitreous loss in 3.4%. Cystoid-macular edema was the most common postoperative complication. The postoperative visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 91% of cases, and it was better than the preoperative visual acuity in 99.5% of cases. With appropriate training and supervision, a resident can achieve good results by doing extracapsular cataract extractions with lens implantations. These results were comparable to those reported by others.