Definition

Noun: - A type of cataract surgery: A surgical procedure for treating cataracts in which the surgeon removes the front portion of the eye's natural lens, while the back part of the lens capsule is left intact. This remaining capsule serves as a supportive structure for the artificial lens implant that is placed during the operation.

Usage

• This term is used specifically in the context of ophthalmology and medical procedures.
• It describes a surgical technique that contrasts with , where the entire lens and its surrounding capsule are removed.

Examples

• The ophthalmologist recommended extracapsular surgery for the patient's mature cataract.
• Modern extracapsular surgery techniques, such as phacoemulsification, allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery.
• In extracapsular surgery, the posterior capsule is preserved to support the intraocular lens.

Advanced Usage

• Phacoemulsification: A common and advanced form of extracapsular surgery where an ultrasonic probe is used to break up the cloudy lens before removal through a very small incision.
• The procedure is often described in contrast to older methods: "Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) largely replaced intracapsular surgery."

Variants and Related Words

• Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE): The full technical term for this surgical procedure.
• Intracapsular surgery: The contrasting procedure where the entire lens and capsule are removed.
• Capsulorhexis: A key step in extracapsular surgery involving the creation of a circular opening in the front of the lens capsule.

Synonyms

• ECCE (Extracapsular Cataract Extraction): The standard acronym and synonym in medical contexts.
• Phacoemulsification: A specific, modern type of extracapsular surgery (Note: While all phacoemulsification is extracapsular, not all extracapsular surgery is phacoemulsification).

Related Phrases

• Lens implant surgery: A broader category that includes extracapsular surgery as one method.
• Cataract removal: The general goal of the procedure.

Noun

1. cataract surgery in which only the front of the lens is removed; the back of the lens capsule remains intact and provides support for the lens implant