Lens fiber orientation during phaco chop: clinical sign to identify appropriate nucleus depth

Phaco chop is the preferred technique for many phaco surgeons. A critical step in chopping is the surgeon's ability to impale the nucleus in the middle of the core endonucleus, which can be challenging. We describe a clinical sign in the phaco chop technique to help surgeons identify the center of the endonucleus without estimating the nucleus thickness. This technique uses the morphological structure of the lens and the lens fiber orientation to precisely gauge the depth at which the surgeon should impale and hold the nucleus for effective chopping.

No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.