The first attempt at manipulating micro-instruments under an operating microscope should not be on a patient. Virtually every aspect of phacoemulsification can be practised safely and at leisure in wet labs, dry labs and on courses. While it is true that the real thing is obviously different, there is no doubt that the better you are at manipulating the instruments the easier the surgery becomes.

Contents

Introduction; Methods; Tools; The operating microscope; Draping;Clear corneal incision;Scleral tunnel incision;Using viscoelastic; Capsulorrhexis;The side ports;Hydrodissection;
Phaco insertion;Phaco principles;Phaco parameters;Phaco sculpting;Rotating the nucleus;Cracking;Removing quadrants of nucleus;Irrigation and aspiration;Enlarging the wound;
Lens insertion;Dialling the lens;Removing the viscoelastic;
Hydroinflation of wound;Emergencies.