In a prospective study of 1,597 consecutive extracapsular cataract extractions (ECCE), we review 49 cases complicated by capsular or zonular rupture with or without vitreous loss. The ECCEs were divided into two groups depending on the type of intraocular lens (IOL) implanted. In Group A, whose patients received an anterior chamber lens, we found a significantly (P < .05, t-test) worse postoperative visual acuity than in Group B whose patients received a posterior chamber lens. We therefore suggest that in the presence of a capsular tear and vitreous loss, one should try to implant a posterior chamber lens rather than an anterior chamber lens to obtain as good a visual acuity as possible.