OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence, location and causes of discontinuous capsulotomy during phacoemulsification cataract surgery. METHODS: Retrospective, consecutive, non-comparative study of 971 cataract surgeries - with discontinuous capsulotomy during surgery - performed from January 2009 to June 2010. RESULTS: it was observed a prevalence of 0.02% and capsule discontinuation occurring 100% of the time during the treatment of the nucleus. In 58.33% of the eyes the implant was done in the capsular bag and in 41.67% in the ciliary sulcus. VA > 20/30 in 100% of the eyes. CONCLUSION: despite the fact that it is a not too frequent event, it may compromise the final result.
Lenses, intraocular; Cataract extraction; Phacoemulsification; Capsulorhexis
