1916: The 8-Chop Technique – Pre-Chop

Some surgeons love the pre-chopper because it allows for efficient splitting of a nucleus, usually into quadrants. This surgeon takes … More

1880: pre-chopper makes surgery easier

The pre-chopper was popularized by Prof Akahoshi from Japan and it was designed to mechanically chop the nucleus into quadrants … More

1864: single incision phaco surgery

Our guest surgeon performs this routine cataract surgery with just one incision. There is no paracentesis incision and therefore no … More

1853: understanding the combo chop

This combo chop is a mix of horizontal and vertical chop and it has become my go-to technique for phaco … More

1834: phaco-section and then extraction

We have previously featured this technique (and this guest surgeon) which shows the phaco-section technique. In this case, using a … More

1824: two jerky pulls to save the capsulorhexis

We have previously covered the Little Technique to pull backwards to help save a run-out capsulorhexis. This Two Jerky Pulls … More

1815: My Week: do not prolapse this nucleus

For many cases, I prefer to partially prolapse the nucleus out of the capsular bag so that it is easier … More

1719: Crater Chop Technique

This resident cataract surgery case shows the crater chop technique where a central section of the nucleus is bowled out … More

1706: Approach to the Gummy Nucleus

This patient has a large cortical opacity in the central visual axis which is distorting the vision tremendously. So while … More

1695: why I am doing stop and chop?

If phaco chop is so amazing, then why am I doing stop and chop in this case? Answer is in … More

1692: tailor your technique to your population

I am a strong advocate of learning all different techniques of phaco and nucleo-fractis because I want to have all … More

1687: ensuring capsular overlap of optic

In cataract surgery we are taking out a 4 to 5 mm thick human crystalline lens and replacing it with … More

1682: what is your approach to chemosis?

Chemosis. It happens to all of us. Just a slight cut of the conjunctiva and the balanced salt solution will … More

1673: lift the iris in a small pupil case

For patients with smaller pupils, such as this case with about a 4 mm pupil diameter, I tend not to … More

1632: sphincterotomy & bag handle

The two techniques shown in this video have not been previously featured on CataractCoach and since they are from the … More

1621: is it ok to do phaco in the AC?

Many years ago when phaco techniques were first being developed, some surgeons elected to do phaco in the anterior chamber. … More

1601: cataract skills after 1600 cases

Yesterday was video number 1600 which means that we have featured a new video/post every day for the past 1600 … More

1596: resident divide and conquer

While I prefer variations of phaco chop for most of my cataract surgery cases, residents typically start learning cataract surgery … More

1580: phaco surgeon does great MSICS

Our guest surgeon is a very experienced cataract surgeon and an expert at phaco, but he has decided to perform … More

1576: three techniques of nucleus division

Our guest surgeon today is a young resident from Brazil who sent in a video showing him performing three different … More

1531: what happened to bimanual phaco?

Many of our surgeons use bimanual irrigation/aspiration during cataract surgery and certainly all retina surgeons perform bimanual vitrectomy, so what … More

1523: Zepto for intumescent cataracts

We have seen the videos before where the Argentinian Flag sign develops instantly as the anterior lens capsule splits uncontrollably. … More

1505: single-handed phaco technique

A generation ago, the most common technique for phaco cataract surgery was to use a single incision and a single-hand … More

1495: another resident stop-and-chop

This is case number 22 for a beginning surgeon who is learning stop-and-chop. If this newbie can learn this technique, … More

1494: resident stop-and-chop review

This anonymous resident is performing case number 128 of her/his career using the stop-and-chop technique. If you are a surgeon … More

1493: stop-and-chop technique

Our guest surgeon does a beautiful job demonstrating the stop-and-chop phaco technique. We have featured this technique many times before … More

1402: phaco-section in MSICS

We have already explained the benefits of learning MSICS (manual small-incision cataract surgery) and I always encourage my USA colleagues … More

1401: nucleus division with weak zonules

Our guest surgeon shows two techniques that can be useful in cases where the zonular support is weak. There is … More

1382: hyper mature cataract MSICS

In an eye with a truly dense, hyper-mature cataract, MSICS (manual small incision cataract surgery) can be a better option … More

1370: video contest PLUS bonus video

First let me tell you about the amazing bonus clip that is at the end of this video — it … More

1351: techniques for white cataracts

This is the talk that I am giving today, Monday, January 17, 2022 at the Hawaiian Eye meeting. It’s a … More

1333: pre-chopper for nucleus division

The pre-chopper is an instrument with two blades which are shaped like paddles and they are embedded into the nucleus … More

1324: even smaller incision MSICS

In this video our guest surgeon bisects the nucleus in the anterior chamber before manually extracting each half, thus allowing … More

1323: USA surgeons must learn MSICS

Ophthalmology residency training programs have changed over the past two decades in the way that cataract surgery is taught. Twenty … More

1321: challenging cataract cases keynote

I was recently honored with another named, keynote lecture. This invitation was from the Hyderabad Ophthalmologists’ Association to give the … More

1320: do I prefer flip or chop?

Many CataractCoach fans have emailed me asking which technique I prefer for routine cases: phaco flip or phaco chop? Some … More

1284: Pupil Stretching Works!

Pupil stretching works. And it works well without additional instrumentation or devices. In this example the pupil went from 3.9 … More

1283: The “I&A only” Soft Cataract

This young patient developed a cataract after trauma. Fortunately, the zonular support is great and the long term stability of … More

1282: flip and chop for softer lens

If there is less nuclear density, then flip and chop is also a great technique. It brings the nucleus up … More

1281: flip and chop when it’s dense

This complete cataract case shows the entire surgery from first incision until the end. This allows for great learning for … More

1271: please steal this phaco technique

We all learn from each other — that’s one of the best things about ophthalmology. My surgical techniques are an … More

1263: double hook pre-chop technique

Our guest surgeon, Dr Érico Jun Oda from Brazil, does a great job with this surgery. Using just two hooks … More

1252: how I handle soft cataracts

Soft cataracts require one important step for success: get the nucleus away from the posterior capsule. I like to accomplish … More

1243: resident surgeon stop-and-chop

This resident has done about 60 cataract surgeries as the primary surgeon and in this video she performs a routine … More

1235: convert to manual ECCE surgery

This case poses a big challenge: the posterior capsule ruptures and we realize this when there is suddenly a pronounced … More

1226: primary posterior capsulorhexis

There are some cases where it is preferable to make a primary posterior capsulorhexis at the time of cataract surgery … More

1220: white cataract phaco puncture

This is a resident case of an intumescent white cataract. We have covered this topic many times and the theme … More

1193: learning vertical chop phaco

Our guest surgeon today shows us a very nice vertical chop technique. This works well if the nucleus has a … More