Uday Devgan MD author of CataractCoach.com

11/25/2025

2759: brunescent cataract cross chop

The cross-chop pre-chop technique is particularly advantageous when managing a dense brunescent cataract, where conventional divide-and-conquer or single-plane chopping may struggle to achieve an initial fracture. In this approach, two choppers are used to create orthogonal cleavage planes, allowing the nucleus to be segmented mechanically before significant phacoemulsification energy is applied. By establishing a stable cross-pattern crack, the surgeon reduces reliance on ultrasound power, which is especially valuable in brunescent lenses that transmit energy poorly and generate greater heat....

Discover the cross-chop pre-chop technique for tackling dense brunescent cataracts, enhancing control, efficiency, and corneal health.

11/25/2025

Wow! The AI translation to Spanish is pretty good! While I can speak some Spanish, I’m not actually this fluent! Well, at least not yet!

11/24/2025

2758: three great cataract surgery secrets

Three “Secret” Cataract Surgery Maneuvers These Subtle Techniques Enhance Control, Visibility, and Safety Cataract surgery has undergone remarkable refinement over the past decades, yet some of the most elegant maneuvers remain those that are not routinely emphasized in textbooks or lectures. These micro-techniques, sometimes passed from mentor to trainee in the operating room, can profoundly influence fluidics control, visualization, and efficiency....

Discover three advanced techniques for cataract surgery that enhance visibility, control, and safety during procedures. Master the art with subtle maneuvers.

11/23/2025

2757: Podcast 139: Abhay Vasavada MD

Dr Abhay Vasavada is a renowned surgeon, pioneer, and educator who has changed the way we approach complex cataract cases. He has taught all of us so much and many of the techniques that you use today have originated with him. In this podcast we talk about some of these challenging cataract cases and he gives insights into becoming a better surgeon....

Join Dr. Abhay Vasavada as he shares insights on complex cataract surgeries in this engaging podcast. Enhance your surgical skills today!

11/22/2025

2756: unedited resident case takes 28 min

We try to feature a resident surgery case every week so that our younger colleagues can learn the basics. I often show these videos at 2x to 4x speed so that we can go through the entire case but some of our beginners have been asking for more. This case is 28 minutes long and that is perfectly fine for case number 36 because as a resident surgeon your primary goals are safety and precision, with efficiency not being the focus for beginners. Watch the video and leave a comment giving helpful advice for this young surgeon in training. video link here

Discover essential cataract surgery techniques through a detailed resident case video, tailored for aspiring surgeons. Join the learning journey!

11/21/2025

2755: split bag without a vitrector available

This patient has a posterior polar cataract and our guest surgeon is operating in an environment that does not have a vitrector available. We know these cases have a higher risk of posterior capsule rupture and vitreous prolapse. And that happens in this case so our guest surgeon has to use scissors to cut the vitreous. This is not as good as using a proper vitrector and it may pose additional risks....

Learn effective techniques for managing vitreous prolapse during cataract surgery without a vitrector, ensuring a safer procedure.

11/20/2025

2754: Monocular patient with a surprise

Our guest surgeon does a great job of managing surprise zonulopathy encountered during cataract surgery in this monocular patient. Discovering focal zonulopathy during cortical removal requires immediate recognition and a strategic, gentle response. Typically, the first sign is asymmetric capsular movement or seeing the capsular bag equator when the I/A tip engages the cortex. Stop aspiration immediately and inject a dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) to stabilize the capsular bag and maintain chamber depth....

Learn how to manage surprise zonulopathy during cataract surgery for monocular patients, ensuring capsular integrity and safety.

11/18/2025

2752: Quiz: Why is the IOL dropping?

Our anonymous surgeon thinks that the case is going beautifully but then with IOL insertion, the entire IOL starts dropping into the vitreous cavity. Why? When did this happen? The complication of capsule rupture happened much earlier than this surgeon expected and it was seemingly subtle so it was not notice. Watch the video carefully and can you determine when the capsule complication happened? Please comment your answer below. video link here

Discover why an IOL drops into the vitreous cavity during cataract surgery. Analyze the surprising capsule rupture and test your skills!

11/17/2025

11/17/2025

A highly experienced surgeon is more likely to experience a rupture of the posterior capsule during cortex removal rather than with nucleus phacoemulsification. When a posterior capsule rupture occurs during capsular bag cleaning, the priority is to maintain anterior chamber stability and prevent vitreous prolapse. Immediately stop irrigation/aspiration, inject a dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) to tamponade the rent, and withdraw instruments carefully....

Discover essential techniques for managing posterior capsule rupture during cataract surgery and how to ensure anterior chamber stability.

11/16/2025

Our podcast guest has definitely achieved a life well-lived. Dr Cyres Mehta from Mumbai, India is an ophthalmologist, a professional motorcycle racer, a seasoned weight-lifter, and a world traveler who shares with us some incredible insights of his life journey. There are so many great words of wisdom and pearls for success that I'm sure you will find applicable to your own path in life....

Join Dr. Cyres Mehta, ophthalmologist and adventurer, as he shares his inspiring life journey and pearls of wisdom on our latest podcast.

11/15/2025

This case seems like a good, routine cataract surgery but then towards the end there is some bleeding. What has caused this bleeding? And what should you do now to resolve it? Why did it happen and what could be done to improve so that this iatrogenic complication does not happen again? Please comment below. video link here

Explore common complications in cataract surgery, including bleeding causes and solutions to prevent future issues.