Capsulotomy
A capsulotomy is an incision into the capsule that encloses the lens (of the eye), separating the lens from the aqueous humour in front of , or "anterior to" the lens, and the vitreous humour behind, or "posterior to" the lens. (The word-stem "capsulo-" refers to the capsule, a useful start in recognising and understanding this term.)
A capsulotomy is sometimes appropriate after cataract surgery if vision becomes reduced, e.g. appearing to be cloudy, due to part or all of the lens capsule becoming cloudy over time. There are two types of capsulotomy:
- Anterior Capsulotomy, and
- Posterior Capsulotomy.
In the past capsulotomies were performed using a tiny knife called a 'cystitome'. Surgical laser procedures using a YAG laser (yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser) are now used in many cases.
More about Ophthalmology:
This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include
- A diagram of the eye
- Definitions and descriptions of the parts of the eye
- A concise description of the human retina
- Definitions of parts of the retina
- Diseases and disorders of the human eye and the human visual system
For further information see also our pages of books about ophthalmology.
The following books may also be of interest:
