Objective To investigate the effect of phacoemulsification techniques on posterior subcapsular cataracts and to minimize the risk of posterior capsular rupture. Methods The medical records of 23 eyes of 13 patients with posterior subcapsular cataract who had phacoemulsification were reviewed retrospectively. The surgical techniques， parameters of the phacoemulsification machine， intraocular complications， management and surgical outcomes were examined. Results Among the 23 eyes with posterior subcapsular cataract that underwent phacoemulsification surgery， posterior capsule rupture occurred in 7： 4 from the removal of posterior subcapsular opacity， 2 from anterior chamber collapse， and 1 from polishing the capsule. Anterior vitrectomy was performed on 2 eyes. In 1 eye， the cortex was dislocated posteriorly and was removed later by central vitrectomy. Conclusion Posterior capsule rupture may occur during any stage of posterior subcapsular cataract surgery. Capsule rupture occurs most commonly during posterior opacity removal， and this type of cataract needs more gentle maneuvering to avoid the collapse of the chamber or overinflation. It is important to try to postpone the removal of the opacity until the final stage of cortical aspiration to avoid early rupture of the posterior capsule.