Complex Cataract Surgery

Although most cataract surgeries are routine, some cataracts present a challenge with respect to their removal and/or the placement of an intraocular lens implant (IOL), necessitating a more specialized surgery.

Often these “complex” cataracts are associated with other disease of the eye. Some of the more common conditions that lead to complex cataract surgery include exfoliation glaucoma, eye injury, previous eye surgery, small pupils, high myopia (extreme near-sightedness), and dense or “mature” cataracts. In cases of complex cataracts, removal of the lens is often more challenging because of weakness in the lens capsules. Similarly, a weak capsule can preclude the placement of a conventional IOL.

There are many sophisticated techniques and devices available that can be utilized to perform complex cataract surgery, with the goals always being the complete removal of the cataract, the placement of a permanent intraocular lens implant, and improvement in vision. Because of the incorporation of these special techniques, complex cataract is often a longer procedure and has a longer recovery time. Nonetheless, because of the advances in cataract surgery technology, complex cataract surgery has become a highly successful procedure.