Microphakonit: 700 micron cataract surgery

We describe the smallest incision cataract removal technique, Microphakonit, in which bimanual phacoemulsification can be performed with a 0.7 mm phaco tip and 0.7 mm irrigating chopper. Cortical removal is done using 22 gauge or 0.7 mm irrigation/aspiration instruments. The technique was used for 25 adult human eyes with grade 2 nuclear sclerosis and 5 adult human eyes with grade 3 nuclear sclerosis. None of these patients were noted to have intraoperative complications. One eye with grade 3 nuclear sclerosis had mild, central striate keratopathy postoperatively. Six months after surgery, 92% of the patients had a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/20 and 96% had >/=20/25.