Vitreous touch after phacoemulsification.

Abstract:  Three cases with touch of an intact anterior vitreous face to the cornea following phacoemulsification had moderate corneal edema. In each patient, a different method successfully removed the touch of the anterior vitreous face to the corneal endothelium with subsequent prompt clearing of the corneal edema. Although uncommon, an intact anterior vetreous face against the corneal endothelium is possible when a wide opening has been made in the posterior capsule and the underlying vitreous face remains intact. In one case the recognition of anterior vitreous face contact to the cornea was delayed by the severity of the corneal edema. Of the 3 methods of treatment used, the pars plana anterior vitrectomy approach seemed the most effective and the medical approach with 4% cocaine seemed to be the least predictable.