Teaching continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis using a postmortem pig eye with simulated cataract

We modified an inexpensive, easily prepared model using a postmortem pig ey e for training ophthalmology residents to perform continuous curvilinear ca psulorhexis, To reduce the tension and elasticity of the porcine anterior l ens capsule, 0.05 mL of formalin mixed with hydroxyethylcellulose or a visc oelastic material is injected into the anterior chamber via the corneal lim bus to fix the surface of the central anterior lens capsule of the pig eye in situ. One or 2 minutes after the injection, only the anterior lens capsu le is fixed and corneal transparency is maintained. The reduction in tensio n and elasticity of the anterior lens capsule caused by its fixation increa ses the resemblance of the simulated cataract to the human cataract. J Cata ract Refract Surg 2001; 27:814-816 (C) 2001 ASCRS and ESCRS.