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Anterior Capsulotomy Innovations and Techniques: Review

  • Cataract (CE Starr and A Brissette, Section Editors)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This article reviews the current techniques and emerging devices for the creation of an anterior capsulotomy.

Recent Findings

Manual continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) remains the most widely used technique and physical tools have been introduced and adopted by surgeons as guides to improve the precision of the manual CCC. Femtosecond-assisted capsulotomy has had moderate adoption by surgeons due to lack of clear evidence demonstrating superior outcomes, cost, and compromised surgical efficiency. However, quick, precise, and reproducible capsulotomies continue to be sought after and several automated devices have and will be introduced.

Conclusion

Manually creating the anterior capsulorhexis remains the gold standard because of efficiency and cost but consistent outcomes require significant experience and technical skill. New automated technologies aim to provide the desired consistency and precision with visual axis centration without compromising surgical workflow. These technologies show promise and may yield superior visual and refractive outcomes but research will be valuable for evaluating these devices.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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  1. Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Tanner J. Ferguson

  2. Cleveland Eye Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    William F. Wiley

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Ferguson, T.J., Wiley, W.F. Anterior Capsulotomy Innovations and Techniques: Review. Curr Ophthalmol Rep 7, 233–240 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40135-019-00219-8

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