Yes, you can certainly learn vertical chop and this resident proves that point for cataract case 62. Vertical chop is a highly efficient cataract surgery technique specifically designed to manage dense nuclei with minimal ultrasonic energy. Unlike other methods that require sculpting grooves, the surgeon begins by impaling the phaco tip deeply into the central endonucleus using high vacuum to achieve a firm grip. A sharp-tipped vertical chopper is then pressed downward into the lens material just anterior to the phaco probe. By simultaneously moving the instruments apart, the surgeon creates a vertical shearing force that fractures the nucleus through its entire thickness. Because all maneuvers occur within the central pupillary zone, this technique is exceptionally safe for patients with small pupils or weak zonules, leading to faster recovery and reduced corneal trauma. You can learn this too!
