MST CAPSULE RETRACTORS: Making Zonular Weakness Manageable
Weak zonules are known to add intra-operative complications and affect every step of the cataract procedure. This poses an ultimate challenge for surgeons to diagnose and manage intraoperative zonulopathy effectively. In this article Dr Fontana describes hows the MST capsule retractors have helped him tackle this major issue in his cataract practice.

Zonular weakness on occasion can be well foreseen before surgery but most usually has been known to occur unexpectedly.
Surgeons typically try to stabilize the capsular bag by inserting a capsular tension ring to reinforce the weak part of the capsular bag in the presence of focal zonular dialysis or weakness. However tension rings, can be somewhat difficult to insert in these patients and have often proved inefficient in successfully stabilizing the zonular capsular complex.
Iris hooks can also be used to support the capsular bag in the presence of focal or diffuse loose zonules. However, because the hooked ends are short and flexible, commonly used iris retractors may tend to slip off of the anterior capsular edge during phacoemulsification and therefore will not support the equator of the capsular bag. …show more content…
The shape and elongation of the hooks allow a much broader area of contact that gently supports the peripheral capsular bag equator as well as the capsulorhexis edge. In this way, the retractors are able to mimic and act as artificial zonules to stabilize the entire bag during phacoemulsification and cortical cleanup without hindering cortical lens material aspiration. I have found this has not been the case when previously using capsular tension rings as the retractors allow me to get the required support vitally needed in the anterior-posterior direction and not trap the