I am often asked why I just do the one chop in some of my cataract cases. Would it be better to chop the nucleus into more, smaller pieces? The answer lies in my patient population and the typical nuclear density of the cataracts. If the cataract has a moderate nuclear density (2 to 3+ NS) then after creating a 5 to 5.5mm diameter capsulorhexis, one single chop to create two hemi-nuclear pieces is sufficient. Each piece can then be emulsified without further subdividing. The next video will showcase the approach to a soft, mushy nucleus when chopping is difficult. And the video after that will be chopping with greater nuclear density.
click to lean from this complete cataract case where only one chop is needed:
Was that golden ring @1:35 from hydrodelineation?