Stop, chop, chop, and stuff

Abstract

We describe a variation of stop and chop phacoemulsification. During chopping the chopper's vertical element is depressed posteriorly toward the optic nerve and is placed well within the capsulorhexis margin, leading to in situ chopping. Each fragment is continuously chopped, and the small pieces are stuffed inside the phaco probe port with the left hand. The phaco probe is used more for aspiration than for cutting. This technique is particularly useful in eyes with hard nuclei or small pupils.