Changing concept and modern techniques in cataract surgery.

Until the middle of the 80-ies the routine method of cataract surgery was intracapsular extraction (ICCE). Approximately 10 years ago the so called extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) started to become more and more widely used. After extracapsular cataract extraction had come into general use, it became possible to implant the IOL behind the iris, into the left in place capsular bag of the original lens. We usually perform extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens (PCL) implantation as a routine procedure. In the last few years phacoemulsification started to gain acceptance. During this operation one breaks the nucleus of the lens into pieces with the help of ultrasound, and this way it is possible to remove both the nucleus and the cortex of the lens through a small wound. The first step in learning phacoemulsification is to be able to create a perfectly round hole on the anterior capsule (capsulorhexis). Besides using various manual techniques we introduced diathermal capsulotomy for capsulorhexis. This latter procedure is becoming more and more popular as it is safe, easy to perform, and gives excellent result.