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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
A Novel Capsulorhexis Technique Using Shearing Forces with Cystotome
Published on: May 15, 2010
Suturing a tear of the anterior capsulorhexis
G Kleinmann1, J Chew, D J Apple
1John A Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, 50 N. Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. guy.kleinmann@hsc.utah.edu
Aim:
To describe a new technique of suturing a tear in the anterior capsulorhexis.
Methods:
Continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) with lens removal was done in five fresh cadaver eyes. The diameter of the CCC was measured with a calliper. Using the same calliper a tear of the CCC was created while opening the calliper's arms. The distance between the calliper's arms needed to tear the CCC was documented. Using 9-0 Ethilon 9011, CS 160-6 sutures in two eyes, 9-0 Prolene, D-8229, CTC-6L sutures in two eyes, and 10-0 Prolene, 9090, CTC-6 suture in one eye, the tears were sutured. A tear in the CCC was created again in the same way as the first tear. The distance between the calliper's arms needed to tear the CCC was documented again.
Results:
Suturing of the tear restored some of the strength/elasticity of the CCC. Better results were found while using the 9-0 Prolene, D-8229, CTC-6L sutures than with the two others sutures.
Conclusions:
Suturing of a broken CCC can restore at least some of the strength/elasticity of the CCC. This can be important before intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for the safety of the implantation or after the implantation to ensure proper fixation of the IOL.
