The complex cataract/patient
| Corneal guttata | Posterior polar cataract |
| Corneal scars/opacity | Children |
| Glaucoma | Co-existing diabetic retinopathy |
| Pseudoexfoliation | Vitrectomised eye |
| Traumatic cataract | Scleritis |
| Subluxated lens | Bleeding disorders |
| Small pupil | High risk of expulsive haemorrhage |
| Nanophthalmos | Deep set eye |
| High myopia | Torticollis |
| Iritis | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| Mature cataract | Anxious patient |
| Hard nucleus | Deaf patient |
| Soft nucleus | Confused patient |