Intumescent white cataracts can pose a problem with capsulorhexis creation. This is because the cortex has liquefied and pressurized the … More
Category: White Cataracts
1151: white cataract and uveitis synechiae
This patient has a long standing history of uveitis which has resulted in synechiae between the iris and the anterior … More
1150: white cataract with iridoplasty
This patient was undergoing cataract surgery by a novice surgeon who ran into trouble right at the beginning of the … More
1147: white cataract & damaged IOL
This intumescent white cataract case becomes even more challenging when the IOL was misloaded by the surgical tech and the … More
1145: white cataract anterior capsule tear
This patient has a dense white cataract and it is also intumescent in nature. There is sufficient pressure within the … More
1144: white cataract intra-capsular surgery
Decades ago the standard cataract surgery was an intra-capsular cataract extraction. This involved making a large incision, injecting alpha chymotrypsin … More
1143: why such a tiny capsulorhexis?
This is the double capsulorhexis technique which is a great choice for intumescent white cataracts. In these types of cases, … More
1142: the ophthalmologist’s wife
This is a complete cataract case, shown start to finish, of a white cataract surgery performed for a patient who … More
1141: white cataract with coloboma
This patient has a lens coloboma with about three clock hours of missing zonular support. This can make the surgery … More
1132: Playlist: white cataract capsulorhexis
Performing a successful capsulorhexis is one of the biggest challenges in eyes with white cataracts, particularly intumescent white cataracts. This … More
1119: resident attempts a white cataract
This is case number 50 for a resident who is being supervised by a senior attending faculty member. It is … More
1088: Recent residency graduate critique
This video was submitted by an ophthalmologist who recently graduated from residency training. He has about 350 phaco cases of … More
1082: release of posterior synechiae
Our guest surgeon shows us his technique of using a spatula to release the posterior synechiae in this eye with … More
1081: if you need iris hooks, use them
Our guest surgeon shows us a case that really benefits from using iris hooks. This video goes into the details … More
1057: Resident Double Capsulorhexis
The idea behind the double capsulorhexis is to avoid the capsule run-out (Argentinian Flag Sign) for intumescent white cataracts that … More
1052: Spiral Out Capsulorhexis
Our video features a young and talented surgeon, Dr Priyanka Pantola from Kanpur, UP, India and she is showing us … More
1040: White Cataract Double Rhexis
Our guest surgeon is Dr. Manbir Singh from India and he is showing us a dense white cataract case with … More
1037: Trifocal IOL with white cataract
Trifocal IOLs require refractive accuracy. We need to be able to deliver close to a plano outcome without much residual … More
1012: Resident White Cataract Chop
The drive to continually improve our surgical skills starts in residency and then continues for the rest of our careers. … More
1009: Cutting a Fibrotic Lens Capsule
In some white cataracts, the lens capsule can become fibrotic as the lens cortex becomes absorbed and the capsule contracts. … More
1004: Preventing Capsular Rip in white cataracts
This 30 year old patient has a tough situation: bilateral white cataracts with high pressure within the capsular bag. There … More
white cataract needle decompression
This patient is a good candidate for needle decompression because the intumescent cataract has a distinct fluid layer and we … 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
Four handed phaco! What?
This is a case where we knew ahead of time there would be issues. The patient is mid 50s in … 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
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
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
Why be afraid of cataract surgery?
why are patients afraid of cataract surgery?
Rock the Nucleus in White Cataracts
The topic of white cataracts is so popular here on CataractCoach that we have an entire category devoted to it … 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
Cataract Quiz: how to rescue this case
This patient has an intumescent white cataract and we know that poses a risk of capsular run-out due to the … More
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
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
Not all white cataracts are the same
All white cataracts are not the same. They can run the spectrum from soft to very dense, with a variable … 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Review: Double Capsulorhexis for White Cataracts
Intumescent white cataracts pose a challenge because the lens cortex has degenerated so much that is has liquefied. This creates … 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
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
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
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
Use Trypan Blue dye before OVD
Trypan Blue dye is very useful in cataract surgery because it can stain the anterior lens capsule which improves visualization … 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
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 Quiz: Which direction for capsulorhexis?
In this Cataract Quiz we have a patient with a white cataract and as we start to tear the capsulorhexis, … 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
Secret to Chopping Dense Cataracts
For the phaco chop technique, the nucleus is held stationary by the vacuum level of the phaco probe. This is … More
Review: Differentiating White Cataracts
You’ve seen the notation in the patient chart: “DWC” which stands for Dense White Cataract, but there is actually a spectrum of cataracts … More
Trap a dense nucleus in order to chop it
With a very dense and fibrous cataract, using just the vacuum from the phaco tip to hold the nucleus is … More
Complete Case: Brunescent & White Cataract
This patient truly needs our help. She developed a cataract in the right eye a few years ago and was … 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
Spiral Out Capsulorhexis for Intumescent Cataracts
Some white cataracts are intumescent which means that the capsular bag is filled with liquefied lens cortex. This fluid increases … 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
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
Resident Double Capsulorhexis for White Cataract
We know that intumescent white cataracts have a pressurized capsular bag with the milky white, liquefied cortex material. And we … More
Resident Surgeon takes on a Dense White Cataract
It is a pleasure to show you this video where one of my senior residents performs and excellent 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
How to rescue this capsulorhexis before it runs out
Performing the capsulorhexis is one of the most stressful steps for new ophthalmologists who are beginning to learn cataract surgery. … 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
Beginner Surgeon attempts a dense white cataract
Dense white cataracts are challenging for multiple reasons: the opaque lens blocks any red reflex, the capsular bag may be … More
For a Dense Cataract should we fix the astigmatism?
This patient has a dense, white cataract with a pre-op vision of just Counting Fingers at 1 meter (CF at … 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
Quiz: What is this dark spot and what is the danger?
This is a complicated case sent to us for review by an anonymous surgeon. You can also submit a video … 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
Double Capsulorhexis for Intumescent White Cataract
Intumescent white cataracts pose a challenge because the lens cortex has degenerated so much that is has liquefied. This creates … More
Intentional Capsule Puncture with a Phaco Probe
For intumescent white cataracts we must take special precautions. The capsular bag is fluid-filled and pressurized and there is the … More
Intumescent White Cataract with lots of Milk
This patient has an intumescent white cataract and there is a large volume of liquefied lens cortex. We have shown … 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
Double Capsulorhexis to prevent Capsule Run-Out
using the double capsulorhexis technique to deal with an errant tear in cataract surgery
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
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
Fixing a Radialized Capsulorhexis in manual ECCE
When I first started teaching residents about 20 years ago, we would have the residents do about 10 surgeries of … More
Routine Dense White Cataract Surgery
Finishing up our week of routine cataract cases, today we are reviewing dense white cataracts. In some parts of the … More
Surgical Approach for a Morgagnian Cataract
With a white cataract, typically the cortical layers opacify and may partially liquify, and that can make the surgery more … More
Slow Motion Analysis of Cataract Surgery
There is a lot to be learned from slow-motion analysis and this applies to cataract surgery as well. Think of … More
What is the critical finding here?
The first year resident correctly identified the white cataract of the right eye, but she missed a critical finding. As … More
White Cataracts: Can you pass the Quiz?
Only a true cataract expert will pass this 2 minute test! The past five articles and videos have all been … More
White Cataract: Solution for the Dense Posterior Nuclear Plate
Looking at this image should intimidate beginning cataract surgeons: this is a whitish-brown totally opaque cataract and it is a … More
White Cataract: What is USA Flag Sign? (Hint: Femto)
The USA Flag Sign is seen when we use a femtosecond laser to assist in phaco of a white cataract. (scroll … More
White Cataract: Capsulorhexis x 2 in the same eye!
Double-Capsulorhexis Approach to the Intumescent White Cataract (Scroll down for the surigcal video of the Capsulorhexis x 2 Technique) The … More
White Cataract: Run-Away Capsulorhexis. Help!
If you’ve done surgery on a patient with a white cataract, you’ve probably experienced the dreaded Argentinian Flag Sign. (Full … More
White Cataracts: They are not all the same!
You’ve seen the notation in the patient chart: “DWC” which stands for Dense White Cataract, but there is actually a … More
White Cataract Week is Coming Up!
Sneak Preview: tomorrow is the start of White Cataract Week and we will have a new article and new video … More
Combo Chop: Combining the Advantages of Horizontal and Vertical Phaco Chop
Phaco chop revisited: Combo-chop combines horizontal and vertical chop techniques Combining the advantages of the two techniques can simplify the … More