Efficacy and safety of the eight-chop technique in phacoemulsification for patients with cataract

The aim of this study was to estimate the efficacy of the 8-chop technique in phacoemulsification surgeries of patients with cataract.

Sato Eye Clinic, Chiba-ken, Japan.

Prospective study.

Patients were classified into 3 groups (Grade II, Grade III, and Grade IV; n = 50 each) according to the firmness of their lens nuclei. The Eight-chopper I was used for Grade II, Eight-chopper II for Grade III, and Lance-chopper for Grade IV. The best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and endothelial cell density were evaluated at 7 and 19 weeks postoperatively. The primary outcome measures were the mean operative time, mean phaco time, cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), and volume of fluid used.

150 cataract surgeries were performed. The operative time (minutes), phaco time (seconds), CDE, and volume of fluid used (milliliters) differed significantly among the 3 groups, increasing in the following order: Grade II, Grade III, and Grade IV ( P < .01). The corneal endothelial cell density did not decrease significantly in the 3 groups at 19 weeks postoperatively ( P = .09). The rate of endothelial cell loss was 0.9% ± 5.9%, 1.0% ± 10.3%, and 5.3% ± 11.1% in the Grade II, III, and IV groups at 19 weeks postoperatively, respectively. There were significant reductions in the IOP at 7 and 19 weeks postoperatively compared with the preoperative IOP in the 3 groups ( P < .01).

The 8-chop technique was effective and safe in phacoemulsification for patients with cataracts with lens nuclei of varying hardness.