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Updated: Jan 19, 2026
A Novel Capsulorhexis Technique Using Shearing Forces with Cystotome
Published on: May 15, 2010
Comparison of Manual Capsulorhexis and 25-Gauge Vitrectorhexis in Pediatric Cataract Surgery: A Pilot Study
Purpose:
To compare short-term visual outcomes (best corrected visual acuity [BCVA]), visual axis opacification, anterior (ACCC) and posterior (PCCC) continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis size, shape, and extension, and their decentration between manual capsulorhexis and 25-gauge vitrectorhexis in pediatric cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
Methods:
Thirty eyes of children aged 3 to 8 years with developmental cataract were randomly selected for ACCC and PCCC by manual capsulorhexis forceps and 25-gauge vitrectomy cutter followed by IOL implantation and limited anterior vitrectomy. The size of the ACCC and PCCC was measured intraoperatively with calibrated capsulorhexis forceps. Patients were followed up for 3 months postoperatively and were evaluated for BCVA and visual axis opacification. Slit-lamp photographs of operated eyes were taken in retroillumination. The size in millimeters and decentration of the ACCC and PCCC from the center of the IOL were measured with the help of the Python imaging library.
Results:
There was no statistically significant difference between BCVA (P > .05), visual axis opacification (P > .05), size of the ACCC (P > .05) and its decentration (P > .05), extension of the rhexis (P > .05), and size of the PCCC (P > .05) and its decentration (P > .05) between the two methods.
Conclusions:
In both groups, BCVA, visual axis opacification, and ACCC and PCCC size, shape, and decentration from the center of the IOL were comparable, making 25-gauge vitrectorhexis a good alternative to manual capsulorhexis. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2019;56(5):327-332.].
