Types of cataract surgery

The two main types of cataract surgery are intracapsular and extracapsular.

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Intracapsular surgery. Intracapsular cataract surgery removes the entire lens--the capsule, cortex, and nucleus. The procedure is rarely performed today but still is used in some situations, such as when the lens is partially or completely dislocated.

Extracapsular surgery. Extracapsular surgery is by far the most common type of cataract surgery because it minimizes trauma to the eye and is associated with fewer postoperative complications than intracapsular surgery. In extracapsular surgery, the surgeon makes an incision at the side of the cornea (the transparent, dome-shaped disk covering the iris and pupil) and removes the front of the lens capsule, followed by the nucleus and cortex. The back of the lens capsule remains intact. This back portion of the capsule provides support for the intraocular lens implant.