Clinical ophthalmology
A Modified Needle Technique for Enlarging a Small Capsulorhexis Under the Main Incision
By Liu X, Lu J, Pan A and 4 others.
Abstract
Purpose
To describe and evaluate a modified technique for safely enlarging a small continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) during cataract surgery, particularly when the margin of the small CCC lies beneath the main incision, where conventional capsule scissors are difficult or impossible to use.
Methods
We describe a bimanual technique in which a manually bent 27-gauge needle is used to create a controlled capsular flap while the capsulorhexis forceps simultaneously stabilize the anterior capsule, facilitating safe and controlled enlargement of a small primary CCC. The technique can be performed at various surgical stages after sufficient viscoelastic has been injected to flatten the anterior capsule. This procedure was applied in eyes requiring CCC enlargement. Clinical outcomes, including capsulorhexis diameters before and after enlargement (measured using image analysis software) and the occurrence of using complications (eg radial tears, zonular damage), were retrospectively analyzed.
