POSTERIOR HIGH-FREQUENCY CAPSULOTOMY VIA PARS-PLANA

In special forms of complicated secondary cataract, especially after a cataract operation in eyes with proliferative disease and after a cat aract operation associated with pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil instillation, surgical capsulotomy must be performed. Methods: We dev eloped a new surgical technique for posterior capsulorhexis via pars p lana by using the high-frequency capsulotomy method developed by Kloti . We analyzed 14 consecutive patients undergoing late pars plana capsu lotomy using a specially designed instrument for radiofrequency capsul orhexis. The indication for surgical capsulotomy was extreme secondary cataract; in 6 eyes fibrosis was associated with vascularizations. Re sults: The high-frequency technique for posterior capsulotomy allowed reliable and precise tissue cutting. The cutting required minimal appl ication of pressure to the capsule, and therefore damage to zonula fib ers is minimized. Furthermore, use of the radiofrequency technique per mitted hemostatic incision in vascularized membranes by inducing a fin e coagulation margin. Conclusions: Posterior capsulorhexis using radio frequency offers precise and effective tissue cutting if surgical caps ulotomy is necessary.