When the posterior chamber deepens during cataract surgery, it is usually a sign that the posterior capsule has been ruptured. … More
Category: anterior vitrectomy
recovering from posterior capsule rupture
Every surgeon, no matter how experienced, will experience complications. The rate of complications such as posterior capsule rupture declines substantially … More
Equanimity under Duress
When Sir William Osler left the University of Pennsylvania’s Medical School (the first one in the USA, started in 1765) … More
Resident recovers from capsule break
In the course of learning cataract surgery, resident ophthalmologists will encounter complications such as this posterior capsule rupture. The key … More
Pars plana anterior vitrectomy
The only ophthalmologists who have zero surgical complications are those who don’t operate and those who are not fully truthful. … More
From routine case to disaster in 1 second
When I first saw this video, which was submitted by an anonymous surgeon, I was in disbelief. I simply could … More
Cataract Quiz: What do you do now?
This is a complication that is sure to happen to every beginning cataract surgeon: a broken posterior capsule as a … More
Cataract Quiz: What’s your next move?
You are performing routine cataract surgery and then you suddenly notice that the posterior capsule is open and a nuclear … More
How to recover from a capsule rupture
It happens to all surgeons, and it is much more common in beginning surgeons: rupture of the posterior capsule during … More
Do not withdraw infusion with a capsule break
If there is a break in the posterior capsule, withdrawing the infusion will allow the anterior chamber pressure go to … More
Danger: Clear Crescent Red Reflex
When you are mobilizing a dense nucleus and you briefly see a bright, clear, crescent-shaped red reflex, you can be … More
Posterior Capsule Rupture! Now what?
In this anonymously submitted case from a resident surgeon in training, there are many great lessons to be learned. We … More
Slow motion analysis of posterior capsule rupture
Watching surgical video of cases is very helpful to understand the how and when of the complications of cataract surgery. … More
Where did the hemi-nucleus go?
This video was submitted by Dr Ravi Prasad Challa from India and it showcases a very rare complication: a break … More
Pars Plana Anterior Vitrectomy can be very helpful
When the capsule breaks during cataract surgery and the vitreous prolapses into the anterior segment, it is important to clear … More
Review: Be Careful if you see the Hole Punch Sign
In your first 1000 cataract surgeries, the most common cause of a posterior capsule rupture is iatrogenic damage from the … More
Review: Anterior Vitrectomy & Sulcus IOL Placement
With vitreous prolapsed into the anterior chamber, we must perform a vitrectomy before placing the IOL in the eye. In … More
Anterior Vitrectomy & Sulcus IOL with Optic Capture
With vitreous prolapsed into the anterior chamber, we must perform a vitrectomy before placing the IOL in the eye. In … More
Pars Plana Anterior Vitrectomy & IOL Retrieval
While most cases of vitreous prolapse during a complicated cataract surgery can be effectively address via limbal incisions, there are … More
Surgical Peripheral Iridotomy using 23g Vitrector
There are times when you will need to make a surgical iridotomy either during cataract surgery or as a stand-alone … More
Be Careful if you see the Hole Punch Sign during Phaco
In your first 1000 cataract surgeries, the most common cause of a posterior capsule rupture is iatrogenic damage from the … More
Converting from Phaco to Manual ECCE Surgery
While it is rare, there are times when it is important to convert from a phaco approach to a manual … More
White Cataract Posterior Capsule Rupture!
In this anonymous video from a surgeon in training, we have quite the challenge: a dense white cataract surgery where … More
Posterior Polar Cataract with Central Capsule Defect
We have highlighted multiple different posterior polar cataract cases, which warrant reviewing. These include: Soft Posterior Polar in a younger … More
Misloaded IOL rips open the posterior capsule
An anonymous surgeon submitted a video of a complication that happened with a misloaded IOL injector. We are thankful for … More
Ruptured Capsule Rescue & Anterior Vitrectomy
Very important learning case of a posterior capsule ruptured then a rescue including anterior vitrectomy.
Focal lens opacity after intra-vitreal injection
This patient had multiple prior intra-vitreal injections for macular disease and now presents to you for cataract surgery. Upon examination … More
Should you try to rescue a dropped nucleus?
For most situations, I recommend that if the cataract nucleus drops into the vitreous cavity due to a ruptured posterior … More
Posterior Capsule Rupture & Anterior Vitrectomy
Early in the learning curve of cataract surgery, beginning surgeons end up with a posterior capsule rupture about 5% of … More
Cataract Surgery with a very shallow Anterior Chamber
This small eye suffered from angle closure and subsequent development of a white cataract. The angle closure was successfully treated … More
3 Keys to doing 4-point Sceral-sutured IOLs
From CataractCoach.com: With video footage provided by Dr. Michael Patterson, we review the anterior segment approach to 4-point fixation of an IOL … More
When the nucleus drops during Cataract Surgery
Every cataract surgeon knows that while complications are rare, if you do a significant volume of surgery, then you’ll certainly … More