Performing hydro-delineation helps to separate the denser, central endo-nucleus from the softer epi-nuclear shell. This endo-nucleus is smaller in diameter, usually about 7 mm, than the full nucleus diameter which is about 9 mm. This means that the chopper only has to split the smaller endo-nucleus and these smaller hemi-nuclear fragments are then easier to bring out through the 5 mm capsulorhexis.
Click below to learn how hydro-delineation can make it easier to learn phaco chop:
