3012: Quiz: Don’t inject the IOL yet. Why?
This Cataract Quiz™ case highlights a critical safety pause before committing to intraocular lens placement: Don’t inject the IOL yet! Looking closely at the 5 o’clock position directly beneath the main incision, a hidden nuclear fragment is trapped at the capsular equator and retroiridal space. Pausing the procedure to mobilize and aspirate this sub-incisional material prevents trapping it or getting entangled with the IOL haptics or optic, which could lead to persistent postoperative inflammation, elevated intraocular pressure, or a secondary procedure. Watch the video to see how this sub-incisional fragment is successfully coaxed out and cleared before safely delivering the IOL. What is your go-to technique or irrigation/aspiration maneuver for clearing recalcitrant sub-incisional cortex and lens material? Please comment your pearls below.
