The skewer technique for anterior capsule remnants

A technique has been developed which enables the removal of a narrow, long remnant of anterior capsule which is connected inferiorly and inadvertently left during planned extracapsular cataract surgery. The technique is especially useful when the wound has already been partly or completely closed. A partial thickness incision is made at the limbus and a short 30-gauge needle is inserted through the incision into the anterior chamber. The needle then skewers the remnant, tearing it along its edge. The end of the capsular remnant is put on stretch by grasping its edge with a small forceps. This results in a transverse tear, with amputation of the remnant.