2025-2026 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 11

Section 11 of the Academy's Basic and Clinical Science Course™ (BCSC®) reviews the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the lens. This section covers the epidemiology, evaluation, and management of cataract and gives an overview of cataract surgery, including in special situations. In addition, Section 11 provides appropriate differential diagnoses and management plans for intraoperative and postoperative complications of cataract surgery.

BCSC Section 11 includes a new discussion of sustainable cataract surgery and expanded discussion of preoperative considerations for cataract surgery, in particular the range and benefits of various intraocular lens designs. Key takeaways are highlighted at the beginning of every chapter.

This edition contains over 200 images, and several new and revised figures show surgical tools and methods of cataract removal. 42 videos of surgical procedures and two animations explore the embryology, biochemistry, and physiology of the lens. This edition includes three new interactive case studies on refractive target selection, toric lens selection, and post-refractive surgery IOL power selection (sample). Both print and eBook users can access to all of Section 11’s multimedia components.

Upon completion of Section 11, readers should be able to:State the principles of cataract surgery techniques and associated surgical technologyDescribe the association of cataracts with aging, trauma, medications, and systemic ocular diseasesIdentify special circumstances in which cataract surgery techniques should be modified, and describe appropriate treatment plans