Crater-and-chop technique for phacoemulsification of hard cataracts.
We describe a technique of in-the-bag phacoemulsification of large, hard, leathery brown nuclear cataracts. A large crater approximately 6.0 mm diameter is created by down-slope sculpting up to 90% of nuclear thickness, leaving the outer nuclear rim intact. The edge of the crater is held with the phaco probe using high vacuum, and small wedge-shaped pieces are created with a chopper. These small pieces are emulsified in the space created by the crater. This technique permits in-the-bag phacoemulsification of large brown cataracts without complications.
Vanathi
M
M
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute for Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Vajpayee
R B
RB
Tandon
R
R
Titiyal
J S
JS
Gupta
V
V
D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*