2999: can we amputate haptics & leave them?

2999: can we amputate haptics & leave them?

Close-up view of an eye during intraocular lens (IOL) exchange surgery, highlighting the haptic stuck to the capsule with annotations and surgical notes.

Can we amputate haptics and leave them behind when performing an IOL exchange if they are adherent to the capsular bag? When performing an IOL exchange, surgeons frequently discover that the original haptics are completely stuck to the capsular bag due to dense fibrotic adhesions. Attempting to aggressively dissect a locked-in haptic can lead to zonular dialysis or a torn posterior capsule. Instead of risking the integrity of the entire capsular bag, an alternative is to transect the haptic at its junction with the optic, leaving the embedded haptic material behind. Watch the precise intraocular scissor mechanics used to isolate and bisect this lens for a controlled exchange. In this case, there may have been another option which I discuss in the video. What is your threshold for choosing haptic amputation over full dissection during an exchange? Comment your experiences below.

video link here

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