If posterior capsule rupture occurs during the first eye of planned bilateral surgery, the second eye is not operated on the same day.
At Blue Fin Vision®, second-eye surgery only proceeds if the first eye surgery is completely uneventful.
PCR changes the risk profile of the operated eye. That eye now requires closer monitoring for inflammation, pressure changes and retinal complications ¹. Performing surgery on the second eye in the same sitting would remove the safety of having one stable eye during recovery.
If the first eye was uncomplicated and PCR occurred in the second eye, the risks apply only to the second eye. The first eye’s outcome remains unaffected.
Importantly: PCR in one eye does not automatically mean it will happen in the other.
However, if the complication occurred due to underlying factors such as pseudoexfoliation or very dense cataract, those anatomical risks may also apply to the fellow eye ². This is discussed individually.
Large registry studies show that PCR rates in modern surgery are low (around 0.2–1% depending on complexity), and bilateral risk is not inherently doubled, it remains case-dependent ¹ ³.
Bilateral planning always prioritises safety over convenience.
References
- Day AC, Donachie PHJ, Sparrow JM, Johnston RL. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ National Ophthalmology Database study. Eye (Lond). 2015;29(4):552-560.
- Clark A, Morlet N, Ng JQ, Preen DB, Semmens JB. Risk for retinal detachment after phacoemulsification. Ophthalmology. 2012;119(5):916-921.
- Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Cataract surgery guidelines. London: RCOphth; 2021.
Related Topics
- What is Posterior Capsule Rupture?
- Why is my risk of retinal detachment increased after PCR?
- Why is there increased cystoid macular oedema (CMO) after PCR?
- Why might my eye pressure rise after PCR?
- When will I be seen again after PCR?
- What does PCR mean for my bilateral surgery?
- Will my vision be ok after posterior capsule rupture?
- Will my vision be ok after dropped nucleus surgery following PCR?
- How long will the operation take if PCR occurs?
- Can I go to Moorfields for a second opinion instead?
- If I seek a second opinion, can I still have my corrective surgery at Blue Fin Vision®?
- What happens to my fees if I cancel the second eye after PCR?
- Is my risk higher for the second eye if I had PCR in the first?
- What is anterior vitrectomy and why is it performed after PCR?
- What is a three-piece monofocal lens and why is it used after PCR?
- What is a sulcus supplementary (Sulcoflex) lens?
- What is dropped nucleus and why does it happen after PCR?
- What is expulsive suprachoroidal haemorrhage and why is it mentioned with PCR?
- Why does pseudoexfoliation increase the risk of PCR?
- Why do very dense cataracts increase the risk of PCR?
- Is posterior capsule rupture negligence?
