A bstract Aim: To describe a novel technique of hydro-free mechanical delamination while doing phacoemulsification in posterior polar cataract (PPC) cases. Materials and Methods: Eighty-two eyes with PPCs underwent complete anterior and posterior segment evaluation. The hydro-free mechanical delamination technique was performed using intra-ocular lens (IOL) dialer/Sinskey hook or bent cystotome to separate the endonucleus from the epinucleus, followed by safe phacoemulsification. Results: Out of the total, 76 eyes had a soft nucleus, while six eyes presented with a moderately hard nucleus. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography revealed preexisting posterior capsular dehiscence in three eyes (3.7%). Among these, two eyes (2.4%) exhibited posterior capsular extension accompanied by vitreous loss, which was managed through automated anterior vitrectomy and the placement of a posterior chamber IOL. One of these eyes developed cystoid macular edema, which was managed conservatively. In all cases, the IOL was implanted in the capsular bag, except for one case where the IOL was placed in the sulcus, with the haptics positioned 90 degrees away from the site of posterior capsular rupture. Conclusion: Hydro-free mechanical delamination is very helpful in PPC cases as it is safer in creating a mechanical cushion around the nucleus and epinucleus and facilitates a safer phacoemulsification.
Kodavoor et al. (Mon,) studied this question.