There was a time many years ago (40+ years ago) where the standard procedure for cataract surgery was to perform ICCE: intra-capsular cataract surgery. ICCE was the gold standard, often utilizing a cryoprobe to freeze the entire lens and its capsule before extracting them through an expansive, 180-degree incision after instilling alpha chymotrypsin to weaken the zonules. Because this technique predated the widespread use of intra-ocular implants (IOLs), patients typically relied on thick, high-power aphakic glasses or early contact lenses to regain their sight after the natural lens was removed. Crazy, right? In this case the patient has a cataractous lens that is in the vitreous cavity. Have you encountered a case like this and if so, what was your technique? Comment below.
