Our guest surgeon, Dr Val Apostolov from Amsterdam, is a frequent contributor to CataractCoach and today he shows us a … More
Category: reader submissions
1024: SICS for uveitic cataracts
This is a case of a cataract with extensive synechiae due to prior uveitis. The eye is quiescent now, with … More
1023: Foreign body capsule rupture
This patient sustained a serious ocular injury: a foreign body pierced the cornea, punctured the anterior lens capsule, and now … More
1022: Suprachoroidal hemorrhage
A suprachoroidal hemorrhage is a dreaded complication that can happen with any intra-ocular surgery. We most commonly see it during … More
1011: Opacified IOL Exchange
While it is rare, some IOLs can become opacified with time. This has been reported primarily with hydrophilic acrylic materials … More
1010: Bimanual Phaco Technique
About 15 years ago, bimanual phaco was relatively popular. The idea is that by separating the infusion from the aspiration, … More
1008: Horizontal Chop Technique
Our guest surgeon is Dr Hafidi Zouheir from Rabat, Morocco and he expertly demonstrates the horizontal chop technique for a … More
1001: Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Technique
Our guest surgeon today is Victoria Tseng, MD, PhD who is a glaucoma specialist and professor at the Jules Stein … More
I wish I had this book in residency!
“What your medical school and ophthalmology textbooks can’t teach you, but what your mentors, colleagues, and patients will!” That really … More
Capsular Tension Ring Placement
Our guest surgeon is Dr. Bhagyashri Deshmukh from Amravati, India and she is presenting a traumatic cataract case with a … More
iris claw lens to address aphakia
Another excellent video from our colleague Dr. Val Apostolov from Amsterdam. In this case there is a patient with a … More
Anterior Chamber Phakic IOL removal
Phakic IOLs are useful to address extreme degrees of myopia, but there are potential complications. Previously, we have featured cases … More
Cataract with Silicone Oil Removal
Our guest surgeon is Willie Kan, MBBS from Malaysia and he is showing the technique of combined cataract surgery with … More
Pseudo-Exfoliation White Cataract
Our guest surgeon today is a young ophthalmologist from Spain and he is performing phaco for a patient with a … More
Cataract, cornea transplant, glaucoma tube
Our guest surgeon is Guillermo Amescua MD who is a faculty member at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. … More
Recovering from an anterior capsule rip
We have extensively covered the topic of white cataracts here on CataractCoach and we have an entire subcategory devoted to … More
Cataract Quiz: Zonular Dehiscence
Our guest surgeon is Dr Willie Kan from Malaysia and he presents a very tough case: a traumatic white cataract … More
chandelier lighting for cataract surgery
This patient has a non-clearing vitreous hemorrhage from proliferative diabetic retinopathy in addition to a cortical cataract. Our guest surgeon … More
anterior segment total reconstruction
This is a very complex case of a patient who had cataract surgery elsewhere and sustained complications during the procedure. … More
double flange IOL scleral fixation
The Yamane technique of IOL fixation to the scleral works better with certain three-piece IOLs because of the differences in … More
Capsule Break with I/A and rescue
Our guest surgeon today is Dr Ahmed Al Habash who shows us the best technique of dealing with a posterior … More
Punctured Posterior Capsule Rescue
There are two types of ophthalmologists who do not ever have surgical complications: those who do not operate and those … More
Guest surgeon: Milky White Cataract
Our guest surgeon today is Dr Pooja Bhomaj from Miraj, India and she presents a case of a milky white … More
Benchmark: Skills after 1000 surgeries
Our guest surgeon today is Érico Jun Oda MD from Brazil and he is showing us a routine cataract case. … More
Femtosecond Laser White Cataract
Our guest surgeon today is Xiongfei Liu MD from Sacramento, California. He was previously a resident with us at our … More
White Cataract Double Capsulorhexis
It is always a pleasure to learn from a master surgeon like Dr Pradip Mohanta from West Bengal, India. He … More
Capsular tension rings in PXF
capsular tension rings (CTR) in pseudo-exfoliation (PXF) cataract surgery
Soft versus Dense Cataracts
Our guest surgeon, Dra. Luz Marina Melo from Colombia, shows us two very different techniques for soft versus dense cataracts. … More
Pars Plana Injection of BSS
Our guest surgeon, Dr Mohammad Abusamak from Jordan, is performing cataract surgery on this monocular patient who has a high … More
expert white cataract capsulorhexis
CataractCoach has advised the beginning surgeons to improve the dexterity of the non-dominant hand and this case is a great … 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
Rotary Chop Technique
The key to splitting a brunescent cataract is to access the central endo-nucleus. This is the densest part of the … More
Phaco Chop without Vacuum
It is a pleasure to watch an expert surgeon doing cataract surgery and I really enjoyed learning from Dr. Alex … 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
Drill and Chop Technique
With a dense cataract, more effort and force is needed to chop the cataract. Usually with phaco chop, it is … 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
Challenge: Monocular Dense Cataract
Operating on a monocular patient is always stressful since we know that the stakes are higher due to the patient … 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
Glaucoma Drainage Implant Technique
I have learned so much from the video submissions that we receive at CataractCoach. It makes me wonder how I … 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
Mastering Stop-and-Chop phaco
Stop-and-chop is a common technique in phaco cataract surgery because it is safe, efficient, and relatively easy to learn. We … More
Safety with Cannula Use – be careful!
Beginning surgeons do not always realize that the force created by using small 27g cannulas can be quite high. If … More
Lateral Phaco Chop Technqiue
With traditional phaco chop, we place the chopper in front of the phaco probe tip, but there are other options. … More
Capsulorhexis Pearls
By watching many surgeons, we can learn different ways of performing the same procedure. In this case, Dr Luis Escaf … 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
Bare Sclera Pterygium Surgery
There are many ways to do the same surgery and the best option is for us to learn about all … 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
Uveitic Dense White Cataract
This dense white cataract is further complicated by being an a uveitic eye with a fibrotic membrane causing a small … More
Resident Case: improve white cataract chop
In this anonymous video from a resident in Germany, we look to improve the horizontal chop technique in a dense … More
Resident Case: improve stop-and-chop
In this anonymous video from a resident in the USA, we look to improve the stop and chop technique. This … More
Resident Case: improve tilt and chop
In this anonymous video from a resident in Argentina, we look to improve the tilt and chop technique. This young … More
Resident Case: improve vertical chop
In this anonymous video from a resident in India, we look to improve the vertical chop technique. This young surgeon … More
Resident Case: improve horizontal chop
In this anonymous video from a registrar (resident) in the UK, we look to improve the horizontal chop technique. This … More
Resident Case: improve flip and chop
In this anonymous video from a resident in South Korea, we look to improve the flip & chop technique. This … More
Expert Surgeon versus The Rock
There is so much to be learned by watching other surgeons operate. Even after so many thousands of cataract surgeries … More
Which resident will win this contest?
Residents often prefer to learn divide-and-conquer as the first nucleo-fractis technique for phaco surgery. This requires making a central groove … More
Draining a choroidal hemorrhage
We recently featured a video of a sudden choroidal hemorrhage which happened during implantation of an IOL. This is a … More
Mastering Divide-and-Conquer
Most young ophthalmologists start learning phacoemulsification cataract surgery with the divide-and-conquer technique. This is an easier technique to learn than … 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
Dense Cataract Vertical Chop
For a dense cataract, the vertical chop technique works well because the chop will propagate through the nucleus. We have … 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
Submarine Chop for dense cataracts
For a dense cataract, performing phaco chop is challenging because the central lens nucleus is so hard that the chop … 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
Small incision glaucoma surgery
This video is amazing — when I first saw this technique, I was in awe because I learned so much. … 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
Small pupil, PXF, and IFIS
For a beginning surgeon it is helpful to see surgeons performing techniques that are out of your comfort zone. The … More
Expert level dense white cataract surgery
It is a pleasure to watch a true expert perform his craft and this is especially true for cataract surgery, … 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
Resident Cataract Surgery Final Exam
Today is June 30 and that is the final day of residency training in the USA since our academic year … More
Fluidic Analysis during Phaco Chop
It can be helpful to see the machine fluidic parameters in real-time as the phaco chop procedure is performed. We … More
2 approaches to Posterior Polar Cataracts
Studies have shown that 1 out of 3 posterior polar cataract surgeries result in a ruptured posterior capsule. Here’s the … More
Pre-Chop with just 2 Choppers
Guest surgeon Dr Valentin Apostolov from Amsterdam shows us his technique for splitting a dense nucleus into small fragments before … 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
Cataract Surgery in MegaloCornea
This patient has a huge cornea with a diameter of about 14 mm and an equally large anterior segment including … More
Does cataract surgery pose a viral risk?
Our colleagues from the University of Toronto recently did an experiment to determine if cataract surgery poses a risk of … More
Pre-Chop Variations for Cataract Surgery
In this video, submitted by Dr. Yaun Lin from Casablanca, Morocco, we can learn multiple different variations of Pre-Chop. This … More
Expulsive Choroidal Hemorrhage!
This video is a MUST SEE! An expulsive choroidal hemorrhage is a rare complication than any cataract surgeon must be … More
Capsulorhexis forceps with ruler marks
Our guest surgeon is Dr. Ron J. Smith who has been instrumental in teaching cataract surgery at UCLA for the … More
Congenital Iris Coloboma Repair
We have another video from master surgeon Dr. Valentin I. Apostolov from Amsterdam. In this video he shows us his … More
Pupillary Cerclage Technique
In cases of chronic traumatic mydriasis, we can use sutures to reconstruct a pupil of a reasonable diameter. We have … More
Lens Snare Technique
More than a decade ago in 2009, Dr. Bhattacharya in India described a way of using a lens snare to … 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
Pit Technique for Dense Cataracts
With a dense cataract, there can be a fibrous posterior aspect of the lens nucleus which makes chopping more difficult. … More
Manual SICS with nucleus bisection
SICS is small incision cataract surgery, and it refers to a method of manual expression of the nucleus through a … 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
You must learn this before finishing residency
The challenge of residency training is that you have just a limited time to learn surgery. You can read books … More
Posterior Polar without delineation
Posterior polar cataracts are unusual, but certainly every ophthalmologist will see these patients in their own clinics. While most surgeons … More
Resident Cataract Case #165 Evaluation
This video is submitted anonymously by a resident ophthalmologist who has completed 164 cataract surgeries so far. This case, his … 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
Can we use a Toric IOL in Keratoconus?
Toric IOLs have the ability to neutralize corneal astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery to improve vision for our … 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
Guest Surgeon PanOptix Tips & Tricks
In the USA, we often get access to new technologies later than other countries due to the hurdles required to … More
Guest Surgeon Phaco Chop Technique
One of the hallmarks of a good surgeon is the ability to learn from other surgeons. In this case we … More
Quiz: Why is this phaco chop going to fail?
Look at this photo carefully. We can tell that this phaco chop will fail and the nucleus will not be … More
Evaluation of Tilt-and-Tumble Phaco
An anonymous surgeon has submitted a video of the tilt-and-tumble phaco technique which tends to work well with milder degrees … More
Expert Level Divide-and-Conquer
Many surgeons like the divide-and-conquer technique and it is widely used here in the USA. For young surgeons, it is … More
Evaluation of a resident chop technique
This video was submitted by a resident in Asia who is still learning phaco and has upgraded to using the … More
Guest Surgeon: Phaco Chop Technique
This video was anonymously submitted by an experienced surgeon who wants us to analyze the phaco chop technique and give … More
Resident Stop and Chop Cataract #50
After doing 50 cataract surgeries, most beginning surgeons have developed good technique for the steps of the procedure. For surgeons … More
Analyzing a resident Stop-and-Chop case
Most of the uncut surgical videos that are shown here are very efficient and complete cases can be performed in … 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
Solving a tough case of Hexagonal Keratotomy
Featuring guest surgeon: Arun Gulani MD from Jacksonville, Florida, USA This complex case involved a patient who underwent hexagonal keratotomy … 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
Let’s watch a resident perform divide-and-conquer
Many residents choose divide-and-conquer as the first nucleo-fractis technique to learn during residency training. This technique has been featured here … More
Analysis of a Resident’s 60th Cataract Surgery
As we get close to starting the academic year in the USA (which runs from July 1, 2019 to June … More
Analysis of a Resident’s 50th Cataract Surgery (Part 1)
This is Part 1 of 2 where we are analyzing an anonymous resident’s 50th cataract surgery, which is very early … 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: Chopping a Dense, Leathery Cataract
When we describe a cataract nucleus as leathery, we mean that it is fibrous in nature and our chops and … 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
Resident Posterior Polar Cataract with Hydro-Delineation
With a posterior polar cataract, the posterior capsule can be weak, fragile, or even focally absent and this poses challenges … More
Ahmed Valve Placement for Neo-Vascular Glaucoma
This patient has a history of severe diabetic eye disease including proliferative retinopathy and prior pan-retinal photocoagulation as well as … 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
Never make your phaco incision like this!
In this anonymous video we have a phaco incision that is very poorly made. The placement is too far from … More
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
Guest Surgeon: Cataract with prior Trabeculectomy
This is a great video submitted by Dr. Mohammed Ghoneem from Alexandria, Egypt where he shows his method for successful … More
Guest Surgeon: Capsular Bag Power Wash Technique
Our guest surgeon, Dr. Anton A. Eijpe from the Netherlands, demonstrates his technique of capsular bag power washing using balanced … More
Guest Surgeon: White Cataract Stop-and-Chop
It is good to learn from various techniques from many different surgeons. You get to see the differences and similarities … 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
Should you do a Primary Piggyback IOL?
In highly hyperopic eyes and nanophthalmic eyes the required IOL power can be very high, sometimes in excess of +40 … More
Pre-Chopper Technique for Phaco Surgery
The Pre-Chopper instrument was developed by Takayuki Akahoshi MD from Japan and it allows the cataract nucleus to be divided … More
Slow Motion Analysis of Phaco with EDOF IOL
Among our most popular features is the slow motion analysis of cataract surgery: when we slow down the video, we … More
Video Review: Posterior Polar Cataract Bowl Technique
This video is from Dr. Ravi Prasad Challa from Hyderabad, India and it shows his bowl technique for performing cataract … More