[Lens surgery: yesterday, today and tomorrow]

Short review of the evolution of lens surgery since the beginning of our century up to the present time: from extracapsular to intracapsular extraction and back again to the modern version of extracapsular extraction. From the beginning of intraocular lens implantation to modern intraocular lenses and, finally, a focus on the future toward the possibilities of "restoration" of the lens to recuperate not only visual acuity but also accommodation.