[Cataract extraction by phacoemulsification using in situ nuclear fracture technique].

OBJECTIVE

The study was designed to investigate the technique of phacoemulsification in which the lens nucleus is fractured without collapse of nucleus into anterior chamber.

METHODS

Phacoemulsification using in situ nuclear fracture technique with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation was performed on 55 eyes of 52 patients with senile cataract.

RESULTS

The in situ nuclear fracture technique was successfully completed in 92.72% of all the eyes: the average time of lens phacoemulsification was 2.26 minutes, the rate of vitreous loss was 5.46%, the rate of corneal endothelial cell loss was 12.13%, and one week after the operation, the visual acuities of 0.5 or better were obtained in 72.72% of the cases.

CONCLUSION

The key points of in situ fracture technique by phacoemulsification include selection of softer nucleus, continuous ring-shaped capsulorhexis, complete hydrodissection and fracture of the nucleus quadrant by quadrant.