Capsulotomy

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Capsulotomy (BrE /kæpsjuː'lɒtəmi/, AmE /kæpsuː'lɑːtəmi/) is a type of eye surgery in which an opening is made to the capsule of the crystalline lens of the eye. The most common forms of cataract surgery remove nearly all of the crystalline lens but do not remove the peripheral or posterior crystalline lens capsule (the outer layer overlying the crystalline lens). The crystalline lens capsule is retained and used to contain and position an intraocular lens implant (IOL).There are two types of lens capsulotomy, anterior and posterior. The removal of the central part of the anterior lens capsule during cataract surgery is known as anterior capsulotomy. It gives the surgeon access to the lens inside so that it can be removed. The remaining part of the capsule is left in place and provides a barrier between the anterior and posterior chambers that prevents leakage of the vitreous into the anterior chamber, and provides a natural support for an implanted intraocular lens in the optimum position. A “can opener” capsulotomy is done by making a circular opening of 5–6 mm diameter in the anterior capsule, by series of small cuts or tears made with a cystitome. Jacques Daviel invented this technique in 1752. This technique was commonly done during extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE). It often leaves weak areas at the junction between cuts, which predisposes the edge to further tearing under stress.