Cataract surgical techniques and adjuncts.
The ophthalmologist performing cataract surgery today has a wide variety of options in terms of both surgical technique and available surgical adjuncts, which can greatly enhance the results of cataract surgery.  Surgical adjuncts used both preoperatively and intraoperatively include mydriatics, pupil maintainers, oculopressor devices, viscoelastics, and intraocular irrigating solutions.  Cataract surgical techniques continue to evolve, and phacoemulsification continues to increase in popularity.  Hydrodissection and related techniques have become an important part of all types of extracapsular cataract surgery.  In this article, we review cataract surgical techniques and the use of surgical adjuncts with an emphasis on the recent literature.  Modifying surgical techniques to incorporate new developments and thus enhance results remains a distinct challenge to the ophthalmic surgeon.
Agapitos
P J
PJ
University of Ottawa School of Medicine, Ontario, Canada.
D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education