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Br J Ophthalmol 2003;87:1426-1427 doi:10.1136/bjo.87.11.1426-a
  • Letter

Phacoemulsification of posterior polar cataracts—a surgical challenge

  1. M W Lee,
  2. Y C Lee
  1. Lee Eye Centre, 44–46 Persiaran Greenhill, Ipoh, Perak, 30450, Malaysia
  1. Correspondence to: Dr Mun W Lee Lee Eye Centre, 56 Heyscroft Road, Withington, Manchester M20 4XF, UK; bigmundoctors.org.uk
  • Accepted 3 March 2003

Posterior polar cataracts are relatively uncommon yet they pose a significant challenge to the cataract surgeon. Cataract surgery in these cases is frequently accompanied by a high incidence of posterior capsule rupture (PCR).

Morphology

Posterior polar cataracts are associated with remnants of the hyaloid system or the tunica vasculosa lentis.1 These cataracts may also occur without any relation to hyaloid remnants and appear as circular or rosette shaped opacities; they are hereditary and usually transmitted as a dominant trait. The gene for this has been mapped to chromosome 16q22.2

Classification3

See Table 1 and Figure 1.

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Table 1

Classification of posterior polar cataracts

Figure 1

(A) One spot polar cataract. (B) Onion polar cataract. (C) Polar cataract with hole in posterior capsule. (D) Polar cataract with nuclear sclerosis.

Methods

The incidence of posterior polar cataracts in our centre is approximately 5 per 1000. …

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