University of Iowa Health Care

Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

EyeRounds.org

Soft Chop

Thomas A. Oetting, MS, MD

Here we show a chopping technique for soft lenses. When the nucleus is soft it can be difficult to fragment the nucleus. Sculpting techniques such as divide and conquer can be dangerous with soft nuclei as the nucleus can suddenly be drawn into the phaco needle particularly at the end of the groove which can lead to damage of the capsule. Another approach for the soft nucleus is to prolapse it into the anterior chamber and aspirate it using either the I/A tip or the phaco needle.

 

last updated: 08-23-2009
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