Visco-fracture technique for soft lens cataract removal

We describe a visco-fracture technique for soft nucleus phacoemulsification. Following continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, cortical cleavage hydrodissection, and hydrodelineation, an ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) is delivered into the eye through a hydrodissection cannula. A small amount of pressure is used to introduce the cannula into the nucleus. The OVD is then gently injected, creating a small central crack. The surgeon can explore this initial crack, enlarging it in both directions to create a complete fracture of the nucleus. The maneuver can be repeated by rotating the nucleus 90 degrees, creating additional fractures in the same way. Each quadrant can then be emulsified using an auxiliary second instrument.

Financial disclosure: Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.