Removal of the crystalline lens is associated with a substantial increase in the rate of retinal tears and detachments. Retinal detachment (RD) occurs in 2 to 3% of eyes following intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE), 0.5 to 2% of eyes following extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) but is believed to occur in a smaller percentage of eyes following phacoemulsification. RD frequently occurs within 6 months of cataract surgery or following posterior capsulotomy.