Cataract Quiz: intumescent decompression

One of our favorite topics on CataractCoach is the intumescent white cataract. We know that the capsular bag is pressurized … More

Cataract Quiz: What happened here?

Our quiz features a video from Gustavo Hüning, MD, MBA from Brazil and it shows an unusual situation that happens … More

posterior chamber deepens with capsule break

When the posterior chamber deepens during cataract surgery, it is usually a sign that the posterior capsule has been ruptured. … More

recovering from Argentinian Flag Sign

We have explained in great detail the techniques that can help to prevent the dreaded Argentinian flag sign with intumescent … More

Cataract Quiz: Trapped Air Bubble

We have a great learning case from Dr. Xiaogang Wang from Taiyuan, China with a surgical challenge. This patient has … More

Surprise! Loose Zonular Support!

This patient has a dense cataract and a surprise waiting for the surgeon: as the nucleus is being cracked, we … More

cannula for cortex aspiration

Bimanual irrigation/aspiration for cortex removal has an advantage: it is easy to switch hands and then access a full 360 … More

Cataract Quiz: many small opacities

Quiz time! You are doing what seemed like a routine cataract case and then you see many small opacities in … More

Cataract Quiz: slight peak of pupil

This is a very subtle sign — look carefully at the picture. In the sub-incisional area, there is a slight … More

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

Intumescent Cataract Auto Aspiration

We know that intumescent white cataracts can be challenging because the lens capsule is pressurized with liquefied lens cortex. This … More

Peeling Capsular Membranes

We present another great learning video from Dr. Val Apostolov from Amsterdam, The Netherlands to show the techniques of peeling … More

Fibrotic Dense White Cataract

This patient developed a white cataract years ago and was unable to seek treatment for a prolonged period of time. … More

Cataract Quiz: Why did the capsule rip?

This resident surgeon recently experienced quite a surprise: when he injected viscoelastic at the beginning of the surgery, the anterior … More

Toric IOL for Posterior Polar Cataracts?

We know that with posterior polar cataracts, there is a congenital weakness in the posterior capsule at the site of … More

Complete Case: Pressurized Cataract

This is an interesting case of a young patient, in his mid 40s, who sustained ocular trauma and developed a … More

traumatic cataract with bulging capsule

This 23 year old patient was involved in an accident and developed bilateral traumatic cataracts. When we examine the patient … 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

Pediatric Posterior Capsulorhexis

Our guest surgeon is Ike K. Ahmed MD from the Prism Eye Institute in the greater Toronto area. He is … More

Spiral Capsulorhexis Technique

After needle decompression of the cataract, using a spiral technique for the capsulorhexis has a distinct advantage: if there is … More

White cataract needle decompression

We know that an intumescent white cataract is fluid-filled with liquefied lens cortex. This makes the pressure within the capsular … More

Wrinkled and fibrotic lens capsule

This seemed like a typical white cataract during the pre-operative exam and when first placed under the surgical microscope on … More

Ruptured Globe: Key Teaching Points

Every ophthalmologist must know how to manage a ruptured globe. In this case it is a corneal laceration with a … More

Cataract Quiz: Argentinian Flag Sign

Cataract Quiz: How can you prevent the dreaded Argentinian flag sign now? White cataracts can pose a challenge when performing … More

Residual posterior polar opacities

We love to show posterior polar cataract videos and we have an entire category for them here on CataractCoach. Using … 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

Fixing severe capsular phimosis

In a small number of patients, capsular phimosis can happen after cataract surgery. This can lead to severe distortion of … More

Tough posterior capsule opacity

When a patient presents with a dense posterior sub-capsular cataract and there is difficulty removing all of the opacity, how … More

Quiz: What is different about this cataract?

Look carefully at the picture above and you will see something that is different about this white cataract. It is … More

Review: capsule attachments with femto-laser

This young patient (about 40 years old), developed a white cataract which has severely impaired vision in this eye for … More

Anterior Capsule Rips Uncontrollably

Quiz time: What do you do when the anterior capsule rips uncontrollably in a young patient who is scheduled to … 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

Tough cataract case for a resident

We are thankful for the many video submissions we receive from our readers, particularly from residents or registrars who are … More

Complete Case: Floppy Iris & Loose Zonules

There is a benefit to watching a video of a complete cataract case, from start to finish. This is particularly … More

Recovering from Argentinian Flag Sign

We have an entire section devoted to achieving success with white cataracts, including intumescent white cataracts. But even in expert … More

Staying calm when you see danger signs

The second that I see this round hole, I know that it is a danger sign. We have previously explained … 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

Review: Chopper protects the capsular bag

We work in a very tiny space of just a fraction of a milliliter: the volume of the anterior chamber … More

Cataract Quiz: Chopper breaks zonules

The resident surgeon has good hands and is talented, but like all new surgeons, he is lacking in experience. The … More

Posterior capsule rupture – finish the case

This resident case is a challenge: the posterior capsule is ruptured but there is still cortex to be removed. Can … More

Cataract Quiz: Rescue this Rhexis!

For this Cataract Quiz we have guest surgeon Dr. Naveen Gopal from Bangalore, India showing us a tough case that … More

Do not make a baby capsulorhexis

Making small capsulorhexis makes the cataract surgery more difficult because it limits access to the capsular bag and makes it … 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 Enlarge a Small Capsulorhexis

Making a small capsulorhexis can make the cataract surgery more difficult. It becomes challenging to bring nuclear pieces out of … 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

Cataract Quiz: When did the bag break?

In this anonymously submitted resident video, there is a break in the posterior capsule during cataract surgery. With the assistance … 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

Cataract Quiz: What happened here?

Look carefully at this picture: what do you see? There is a three-piece IOL in the sulcus and there is … More

What are these lines? What is Reflux?

These lines are the posterior capsule which has found its way into the suction port of the I/A probe. We … 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

Review: Posterior Capsulorhexis Technique

If there is a central posterior capsule plaque that cannot be removed with the suction from the irrigation/aspiration probe, we … More

The surgeon will struggle to finish. Why?

In this resident surgeon case, the anterior chamber flattens and there is loss of viscoelastic upon attempted manipulation of the … More

Peeling off a Pupillary Membrane

In this complex case, there is a nearly complete pupillary membrane in an eye with a cataract and a prior … More

Two-Handed Capsulorhexis Technique

Our guest surgeon is Ravi Goel MD from New Jersey, USA who is also the author of the ProtectingSight.com blog. … More

Review: Cataract Surgery in Pseudo-Exfoliation

We often encounter patients with Pseudo-Exfoliation Syndrome, often abbreviated as PXF, which makes cataract surgery significantly more challenging. The PXF … More

Cataract Surgery with Synechaie Lysis

Synechiae are adhesions of the iris to ocular structures which can cause issues of aqueous blockage, pupil dilation, and more. … More

What can we learn from the first eye cataract surgery?

The patient had cataract surgery of the right eye two years ago. Initially, she had a plano outcome and great … More

Traumatic Cataract with Mydriasis: Part 2 Pupilloplasty

This patient suffered severe trauma as the result of an airbag injury from a car accident about one year ago. … More

Traumatic Cataract with Mydriasis: Part 1 cataract surgery

This patient suffered severe trauma as the result of an airbag injury from a car accident about one year ago. … More

Severe Capsular Phimosis

Capsular phimosis occurs when there is severe contraction of the anterior capsular tissue which results in a shrinking of the … More

Tear Out of the Anterior Capsule

In this video, which was anonymously submitted, an experienced surgeon encounters a routine cataract case where the anterior capsule is … More

White Cataract with Fibrotic Lens Capsule

This video was submitted by an anonymous surgeon who is attempting this case early in the course of surgical training. … More

Review: YAG laser capsulotomy techniques

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is common after cataract surgery. Even a perfect surgery by a master surgeon still leads to … More

Quiz: Cataract & Penetrating Corneal Injury

This patient had a penetrating corneal injury many years ago. When we look at the eye we can see evidence … More

Methods of Capsule Polishing

For polishing of the undersurface of the anterior capsular rim, we can use a friction method with specialized instruments or … More

Quiz: What does this sign mean?

You are just about to start the capsulorhexis and you notice that the anterior lens capsule has straie emanating radially … More

Opacities seen during cataract surgery

In this unusual case we see opacities in the red reflex during cataract surgery. Most of these are within the … More

Capsulorhexis with an anterior capsular plaque

This anterior capsular plaque makes the capsulorhexis creation more challenging. The capsule will not tear predictably in the region of … More

Lysis of Synechiae and Cataract Surgery

In patients with prior uveitis, synechiae between the iris and the anterior lens capsule can develop. These adhesions will prevent … More

Quiz: What is this focal lens opacity?

What is this focal lens opacity that is seen during cataract surgery? And how do we remove it? What likely … More

Quiz: what is different about this white cataract?

This patient has an intumescent white cataract but something is different about this case. In fact, there is a very … More

CTR Technique with less capsular stress

We have featured prior videos about insertion of capsular tension rings (CTRs) during cataract surgery. These devices can be very … More

Quiz: What are these spots seen during surgery?

During cataract surgery for this patient, everything seemed relatively routine. The patient is elderly with some zonular laxity, but even … More

How to Save this Run-Out Capsulorhexis

This case is performed by a junior resident who has done about 20 cases so far. The trouble starts when … More

Lysis of Synechiae and Capsule Staining under Iris

This patient had a prior episode of anterior segment inflammation which caused synechiae to develop, with adhesion of the iris … More

Does Capsule Polishing prevent capsular opacity?

There has been much debate around the issue of polishing of the undersurface of the anterior capsular rim, yet there … More

Two important danger signs in traumatic cataract

Guest surgeon and expert Ashraf Armia MD shows us two very important danger signs in a traumatic cataract case: wrinkles … More

Surgical Approach to a Traumatic Cataract

When we are faced with a traumatic cataract, there are many factors to consider. The easiest issue is the lens … More

Linear marks seen during cortex removal

For surgeons with just a few years of experience, the part of cataract surgery where a posterior capsule break is … 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

Milky fluid leaks out of the intumescent cataract

We have explained over the course of many videos that intumescent white cataracts are challenging. One of the primary considerations … 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

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

Needle Puncture for Intumescent White Cataracts

An intumescent white cataract is where the cortex has become opaque and liquified which increases the pressure within the capsular … More

Quiz: A shallowing capsular bag during cortex removal

The irrigation / aspiration probe is placed in the eye and we begin cortex removal. But as we try to … More

Dense Morgagnian Cataract with Capsule Break

With a Morgagnian cataract, the entire cortex becomes liquified and then the remaining lens nucleus floats within this fluid. In … More

Cataract Surgery in Pseudo-Exfoliation Syndrome

We often encounter patients with Pseudo-Exfoliation Syndrome, often abbreviated as PXF, which makes cataract surgery significantly more challenging. The PXF … More

Quiz: Why is the posterior capsule wrinkled?

This seemed like a totally routine case. Good incision, good capsulorhexis, efficient nucleus removal, and complete cortex removal. There was … More

Use the chopper to protect the capsular bag during phaco

The chopper can do so much more than just divide the nucleus into pieces. The chopper can fixate the eye, … 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

Collapse of the capsular bag during cortex removal

This is a continuation of the case from yesterday, you can review it here. In that case, the phaco probe … More

The Chop failed because the nuclear halves did not separate

The phaco chop technique is like splitting firewood: the instrument creates the initial cleavage plane which then must be propagated … More

Guest Surgeon: Cataract with Fibrotic Anterior Capsule

In rare cataract cases, particularly those from prior trauma, we can get fibrosis of the anterior capsule. This makes the … More

Guest Surgeon: Recover from the Argentinian Flag Sign

In our many videos about white cataracts (full series can be found here), we know that one of the biggest … More

Rescue this White Cataract Capsulorhexis

Our CataractCoach.com readers understand the challenges of white cataracts and in particular, intumescent white cataracts. With a capsular bag that … More

Posterior Capsulorhexis for a posterior capsule plaque

If there is a central posterior capsule plaque that cannot be removed with the suction from the irrigation/aspiration probe, we … More

Resident Case: Adherent Posterior Capsule Plaque

Sometimes we can have a plaque of cataract material that is adherent to the central posterior capsule. There are ways … More

Review: Complete this case without vitreous prolapse

This is a great learning case from one of our young surgeons in training. The video is 14 minutes long … More

Run Away Capsulorhexis: What is your next move?

This patient has an intumescent white cataract and our surgeon, an ophthalmology resident with about 200 cataract surgeries completed, wishes … More

Incomplete Femtosecond Laser Capsulotomy

We have studied intumescent white cataracts many times here on CataractCoach and we know that the primary challenge is that … 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

Traumatic Cataract: What is your approach?

This patient had a traumatic injury to his eye 40 years ago and never sought the care of an ophthalmologist … More

Femtosecond Laser Capsulotomy for White Cataracts

With an intumescent white cataract, we know that the capsular bag is filled with fluid — liquefied lens cortex material. … 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

For loose zonules, bring the nucleus up and out

In this seemingly routine case, we find that the anterior lens capsule wrinkles when we attempt the capsulorhexis. This means … More

Wrinkled Anterior Lens Capsule – be careful!

poor zonular support cataract surgery

Guest Surgeon: Femto & Capsular Tension Segments

This is a tricky case: a traumatic cataract with extensive zonular loss and weakenss in a younger patient with high … More

Double Capsulorhexis to prevent Capsule Run-Out

using the double capsulorhexis technique to deal with an errant tear in cataract surgery

Be Cautious with the Wrinkly Old Bag

This is one wrinkly old bag! Of course, we are referring to the capsular bag in this cataract surgery. This … More

Ruptured Capsule Rescue & Anterior Vitrectomy

Very important learning case of a posterior capsule ruptured then a rescue including anterior vitrectomy.

Use the Chopper to protect the capsular bag

We work in a very tiny space of just a fraction of a milliliter: the volume of the anterior chamber … More

Understanding Reflux Mode during Phaco

Reflux mode is when you use the foot-pedal to reverse the fluidic pump of your phaco machine. Instead of aspirating … More

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

The posterior capsule is wide open – now what?

This is a great learning case from one of our young surgeons in training. The video is 14 minutes long … More

Prevent posterior extension of a capsular break

This is a resident case that you really must learn from, even if you are an expert. During nucleus removal … More

Measure the Capsulorhexis for best results

The capsulorhexis is important for successful cataract surgery because it gives the capsular opening strength during cataract removal and allows … More

Pupil Ring placed in one movement, but there is a catch…

I wanted to try a new technique: placing all 4 scrolls of the Malyugin ring on the iris in one … More

Radial Wrinkles mean aspiration of the capsule!

These radial wrinkles emanating from the port of the irrigation/aspiration probe are in the posterior capsule. This happens when we … More

Loose Zonules become evident during Capsulorhexis

This is a patient who had an unremarkable pre-operative consultation for cataract surgery, but when we came to the operating … More

Persistent attachments with femto-laser capsulotomy

This young patient (about 40 years old), developed a white cataract which has severely impaired vision in this eye for … More

Routine case, but what’s this line on the capsule?

This is a perfectly routine cataract case and it goes beautifully. But then, at the end of the case with … More

How important is Capsule Polishing in Cataract Surgery?

In modern day cataract surgery, we remove the lens material which keeping the capsular bag to hold the IOL. How … 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

Wait! Is the Posterior Capsule Ruptured?

In this video which was submitted anonymously, the guest surgeon had a routine case with an intact capsulorhexis. But then … More

Traumatic Cataract: What is your surgical approach?

This 42 year old patient sustained an airbag injury to his face a few months ago. He noted cloudy vision … More

Radial Wrinkles are a sign of Weak Zonules

If the zonular structures are intact and normal, the anterior lens capsule should be taut, especially after instillation of viscoelastic. … More

Little Technique to Rescue a Runout Capsulorhexis

The first time that I saw Brian Little, FRCS, FRCOphth demonstrate the technique for rescuing a runout capsulorhexis, I was … More

Complications from a Failed Capsulorhexis

There is a great deal of learning from this video where a failed capsulorhexis leads to a host of issues … More

A Bad Capsulorhexis leads to Trouble

Today we present another case, submitted by an anonymous surgeon for review. We applaud this surgeon for sharing this complicated … More

Poor Draping leads to more Complications

This case should be a routine, straightforward surgery with a low chance of complications. But that changes when the draping … More

Please do NOT use the iris to guide Capulorhexis size!

Many surgeons use the iris or pupil size as a guide for capsulorhexis creation — but you should not. Do … More