Vitrectomy technique for removal of retained lens material

R. G. Michels and D. E. Shacklett

A posteriorly dislocated lens or non-encapsulated lens material in the vitreous cavity may be difficult to remove. The pars plana vitrectomy instrumentation and technique provide new methods to remove this material, including use of the cutting-aspiration system of the instrument with or without use of a second instrument to mechanically crush firm lens material. Also, the vitrectomy instrument can be used to mobilize a dislocated lens or lens nucleus and position it in the anterior chamber prior to removal through a limbus incision. These methods provide considerable flexibility and usually permit the surgeon to achieve the objectives of lens removal, vitrectomy, and treatment of any retinal complications under optimum control during one operation. We have used these methods to successfully treat ten consecutive cases.