Performing Phacoemulsification While Standing for Patient Who Is Unable to Lie Flat

Abstract

Phacoemulsification in patients who are unable to lie flat can be challenging for ophthalmic surgeons. Difficulty in positioning the head can lead to inadequate surgical exposure, and awkward position of the body may lead to unnecessary high vitreous pressure and subsequent posterior capsule rupture. We describe a standing phacoemulsification technique for bilateral cataract in a patient who is morbidly obese, positioned at 30 degrees inclination in a reverse Trendelenburg position with hyperextension of the neck.