Phacocryolysis and phacoemulsification.
The effect of rapid freezing and thawing was tested in vitro on 100 human hard nuclear cataracts before ultrasonic emulsification. After phacocryolysis the interspace between lens fibers increased, and the normally closely packed fibers appeared to loosen. This seemed to soften the hard cataract, thereby facilitating ultrasonic emulsification.
D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003452:Cryosurgery; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline; D014465:Ultrasonics