Purpose: To summarize and analyse the results of our experience in treating patients with a "dropped nucleus".
Methods: The case records of nineteen patients who underwent surgery for a "dropped nucleus" at the Ophthalmology Departments of Sahlgren's University Hospital, Gothenburg, and Orebro Medical Centre, Orebro, Sweden during 1994 were retrospectively reviewed to determine the mode of treatment used and the results of surgery. The frequency of this complication was also calculated for Sweden as a whole with the help of the National Cataract Register.
Results: The lens was successfully removed in all eyes. No retinal breaks or detachments were present at vitrectomy or follow-up. One eye was lost to panophthalmitis 11 days after the vitrectomy; the remaining 18 eyes showed a favourable outcome.
Conclusion: The loss of a crystalline lens to the vitreous during cataract surgery is a severe complication. We recommend that an experienced vitreoretinal surgeon should be consulted at an early stage.