Definition

Noun: - A surgical procedure performed within a capsule: Specifically, a type of cataract surgery where the entire natural lens of the eye, including its surrounding capsule, is removed.

Usage

This is a technical medical term. It is used to describe a specific, now largely historical, surgical technique in ophthalmology. - Intracapsular surgery was the standard procedure for cataract removal for many years. - The development of extracapsular techniques made intracapsular surgery less common.

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in historical or comparative medical contexts to discuss the evolution of cataract treatment.
• It is often contrasted with "extracapsular surgery," where the posterior part of the lens capsule is left in place to support a new artificial lens.

Variants and Related Words

• Extracapsular surgery (n): A contrasting surgical technique where the lens is removed but the outer back capsule is left intact.
• Phacoemulsification (n): A modern, common form of extracapsular cataract surgery using ultrasonic technology.

Synonyms

• Intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE): This is the full technical name for the procedure.

Notes on Meaning

This term has a very specific meaning within ophthalmology. It does not refer to surgery within capsules in other parts of the body (e.g., joint capsules) unless explicitly specified. Its dominant and almost exclusive use is for the described eye surgery.

Noun

1. cataract surgery in which the entire lens is removed