A Modified Akahoshi Pre-Chopping Technique with NeoSoniX Dramatically Reduces Effective Ultrasound Time in Phacoemulsification of Hard Nuclear Cataracts

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To demonstrate the effectiveness of a new phacoemulsification cataract extraction technique in reducing ultrasound times for hard nuclear cataracts. Methods:20 eyes with 3+ or 4+ nuclear sclerosis were analyzed prospectively after undergoing cataract extraction using a modified Akahoshi pre-chopping technique and NeoSoniX assisted microburst phacoemulsification-aspiration. Results: 20 eyes of 20 patients were included in the study. The average patient age was 72 + 13 years (range = 46-93 years). All eyes had dense nuclear cataracts. 13/20 eyes had 3+ nuclear sclerosis and 7/20 eyes had 4+ nuclear sclerosis. All 4+ NS cataracts (35% of total) required vision blue to complete the capsulorhexis. Average effective ultrasound times were 4.8 + 2.7 seconds (range = 0sec-9sec) and 7.0 + 4.3 seconds (range = 3sec-15sec) for eyes with 3+ and 4+ nuclear sclerosis respectively. Only two eyes (10%) required >10 seconds of phaco time. There were no intra- or post-operative complications. One eye (5%) had mild corneal edema on post-op day #1. Conclusions: A modified Akahoshi pre-chopping technique combined with NeoSoniX assisted microburst phacoemulsification-aspiration is very effective at markedly reducing effective ultrasound time in hard nuclear cataract extraction.

Keywords: cataract • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: sys • small incision cataract surgery