In this study we analysed the overall incidence and the types of complications seen after cataract surgery and implantation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC-IOLs) based on a review of 1460 explanted PC-IOLs. Of these explanted PC-IOLs, 1072 (73.4%) were three-piece PMMA IOLs with Prolene haptics, 261 (17.9%) were one-piece all-PMMA IOLs, 81 (5.6%) were silicone IOLs and 46 (3.1%) were of various other designs (multifocal IOLs, disc IOLs etc.). The mean implant duration for all IOLs was 25.57 +/- 29.24 months. The two most important reasons for explantation were IOL decentration (622/1460, 42.6%) and inflammation (347/1460, 23.77%). There was no difference in reasons for explantation between one-piece and three-piece IOLs. Operative techniques such as "can opener" capsulotomy and sulcus fixation have more influence on IOL decentration than the IOL design alone. Modern operative techniques such as continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, phacoemulsification and symmetrical in-the-bag fixation of "capsular IOLs" should decrease the explantation and complication rate in the future.