Removal of the crystalline lens at the time of pars plana vitrectomy surgery is becoming an increasingly common surgical strategy in the management of vitreoretinal disease. Combined surgery provides enhanced peripheral retinal visualisation and the opportunity for a larger gaseous endotamponade and obviates the need for subsequent cataract surgery at a later date.1 These advantages only apply if there are not coexistent disadvantages. One of the reported anterior segment complications of combined surgery is pupillary capture of the lens optic, occurring in 1–2% of all cases.2 This occurs due to an induced pressure gradient between the anterior and posterior segments of the eye, which is especially pronounced in the presence of gas within the vitreous cavity. In order to quantify the incidence of pupillary capture, we performed a retrospective review of the last 698 cases of combined phacovitrectomy performed by a single surgeon. Ethical approval …