Management of posteriorly dislocated capsular tension ring with vitrectomy using a "chandelier" illumination system

Subluxation of the capsular tension ring (CTR) into the vitreous is a rare complication. The explantation of these rings from the vitreous by conventional vitrectomy is often a difficult procedure requiring great surgical skill. We report two cases of posteriorly subluxated endocapsular rings, which were explanted with pars plana vitrectomy using the chandelier illumination system. This illumination system has an external light source which is incorporated via a fibreoptic into the infusion cannula, thereby freeing both hands of the surgeon. This allows surgeon to easily perform bimanual intraocular maneuvers such as external scleral indentation, manipulation of CTR in the vitreous cavity and removal of these rings with the handshake technique.