Rock hard cataracts are frequently accompanied by additional surgical risk factors. This is an ultrabrunescent cataract in an eye with prior angle closure glaucoma, a very crowded anterior chamber, and a fixed, small pupil. To create enough working room, a pars plana vitreous tap must be used and the pupil is dilated with a Malyugin ring. The associated significant zonulopathy must be managed with capsular retractors and then a capsular tension ring.