Cataract surgical techniques.

Cataract surgical techniques are constantly evolving and changing, offering the ophthalmologist new and sometimes improved options for optimal visual rehabilitation of their patients. This article reviews the surgical techniques used in cataract surgery with an emphasis on the recent literature. The following areas are covered: anesthesia, incisions and wound closure, capsulotomy, planned extracapsular cataract surgery, phacoemulsification, intraoperative management of the torn posterior capsule, trauma, and combined procedures. The use of phacoemulsification continues to increase in popularity in the developed countries. Small incisions for cataract surgery hasten visual rehabilitation, and continuous circular capsulorhexis has emerged as an advantageous capsulotomy technique. With proper intraoperative management, patients with torn posterior capsules have excellent visual results. Combined procedures allow for concurrent surgery in patients with cataract and coexistent ocular diseases. Cataract surgical techniques must be adapted to suit each patient. The modification of surgical techniques according to individual patient needs and associated ocular and systemic disorders offers a distinct challenge to the ophthalmic surgeon.