Phaco chop technique for cataract surgery in the dog

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Techniques

Background:

• Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens.
• Traditional phacoemulsification techniques required significant energy and time.
• Phaco chop offers an alternative approach to lens removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the phaco chop technique for cataract removal.
• To compare phaco chop with the 'divide and conquer' method.
• To highlight the advantages of phaco chop in cataract surgery.

Main Methods:

• Phaco chop is a bimanual technique using a phaco tip and a second instrument (chopper).
• The nucleus is impaled, held with vacuum, and split along natural cleavage planes.
• This method contrasts with sculpting techniques that use prolonged phaco energy.

Main Results:

• Phaco chop uses less phaco time and energy compared to 'divide and conquer'.
• The technique significantly reduces endothelial cell damage.
• It also minimizes zonular and capsular stress due to directed forces.

Conclusions:

• Phaco chop is an effective cataract removal technique.
• It offers advantages in reduced energy use, less endothelial damage, and decreased ocular stress.
• The technique has been adapted for canine cataract surgery with modifications.