We retrospectively examined ophthalmic surgery at two teaching hospitals from 1982 to 1985 to determine the incidence, cause, treatment, and outcome of wound dehiscence following cataract surgery. In the 1276 cataract procedures performed during this period, 18 patients (1.4%) underwent repair of wound dehiscence. Thirty-one percent of patients with dehiscence had had cataract extraction on subluxed traumatic cataracts; trauma also caused 69% of the dehiscences. Posterior chamber lenses remained in place in 88% of cases. Seventy-seven percent regained 20/40 or better visual acuity following repair.