Phaco-Chop versus Divide-and-Conquer in Patients Who Underwent Cataract Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed eye surgeries worldwide, and among several techniques, phacoemulsification has become the standard of care due to its safety and efficiency. We evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of two phacoemulsification techniques: phaco-chop and divide-and-conquer. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science databases were queried for randomized controlled trial (RCT), prospective and retrospective studies that compared the phaco-chop technique over the divide-and-conquer technique and reported the outcomes of (1) Endothelial cell count change (ECC); (2) Ultrasound time (UST); (3) Cumulated dissipated energy (CDE); (4) Surgery time; and (5) Phacoemulsification time (PT). Heterogeneity was examined with I2 statistics. A random-effects model was used for outcomes with high heterogeneity. Results: Nine final studies, (6 prospective RCTs and 3 observational), comprising 837 patients undergoing phacoemulsification. 435 (51.9%) underwent the phaco-chop technique, and 405 (48.1%) underwent divide-and-conquer. Overall, the phaco-chop technique was associated with several advantages: a significant difference in ECC change postoperatively (Mean Difference [MD] -221.67 Cell/mm2; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] -401.68 to -41.66; p < 0.02; I2=73%); a shorter UST (MD -51.16 sec; 95% CI -99.4 to -2.79; p = 0.04; I2=98%); reduced CDE (MD -8.68 units; 95% CI -12.76 to -4.60; p < 0.01; I2=84%); a lower PT (MD -55.09 sec; 95% CI -99.29 to -12.90; p = 0.01; I2=100). There were no significant differences in surgery time (MD -3.86 min; 95% CI -9.55 to 1.83; p = 0.18; I2=99%). Conclusion: The phaco-chop technique proved to cause fewer hazards to the corneal endothelium, with less delivered intraocular ultrasound energy when compared to the divide-and-conquer technique.

Cumulative Dissipated Energy (CDE) in Three Phaco-Fragmentation Techniques for Dense Cataract Removal.

Purpose: To determine the energy expenditure in phacoemulsification surgery expressed as cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) among the divide and conquer, ultrachopper-assisted divide and conquer, and phaco-chop techniques for dense cataract removal. Patients and Methods: The clinical data were obtained from the medical charts of dense cataracts patients undergoing routine phacoemulsification employing any of three phaco-fragmentation techniques, including divide and conquer using the Kelman 0.9 mm tip, the ultrachopper tip, and the phaco-chop technique using the Kelman 0.9 mm tip. Cumulated dissipated energy (CDE), longitudinal ultrasound time (UST), and endothelial cell loss were compared among groups at the one-month postoperative. Results: Surgeries from 90 eyes were analyzed, among whom the conventional divide-and-conquer technique group included 30 patients, 32 in the ultrachopper group, and 28 in the phaco-chop technique group. The average CDE in the conventional divide and conquer group was 44.52 ± 23.00, the ultrachopper technique was 43.27 ± 23.18, and 20.11 ± 11.06 in the phaco-chop group. Phaco-fragmentation chop demonstrated significantly lower CDE than the other techniques (p= <0.0001). The phaco-chop technique showed statistically significantly lower CDE when compared to the other two groups (p=<0.0001) with 93.96 ± 39.71 seconds. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative endothelial cell density between groups (p=0.4916). Conclusion: The use of the phaco-chop technique in hard cataract phacoemulsification represents a lower energy expenditure than divide and conquer and ultrachopper techniques; nevertheless, no differences regarding endothelial density loss were evidenced.

Comparison of the reverse chopper-assisted prechop and phaco-chop nucleotomy techniques during phacoemulsification for cataracts with grade III nuclei: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Phacoemulsification surgery is the standard treatment for cataract. However, excessive ultrasound (US) energy may cause injury to the corneal endothelium and other ocular tissues. Recently, a new prechop technique assisted with the reverse chopper is showed to be more efficient and safe, by splitting the nuclei in situ without using any US energy. However, it is verified only in treating some kinds of complex cataracts such as grade IV hard nuclei cataract, small-pupil cataract, and ultra-high myopia cataract. Since grade III nuclei cataract is the most common type of cataract, it is necessary to evaluate the efficacy and safety of prechop technique with reverse chopper in routine cataract surgery. Methods: This prospective, two-parallel, randomized controlled trial was conducted in Beijing Tongren Hospital from January 2022 to September 2022. A total of 89 cataract patients (89 eyes) were enrolled and then randomly assigned to either the reverse chopper-assisted prechop group (n=45) or the phaco-chop group (n=44). The patients were followed for 3 months postoperatively. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), corneal endothelial cell loss (ECL), and degree of corneal edema were evaluated and compared between these 2 groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0. Results: The CDE of the reverse chopper-assisted prechop group was significantly less than that of the phaco-chop group (P=0.011). Compared with the phaco-chop group, the corneal edema in the reverse chopper-assisted prechop group was milder (P=0.026) and the BCVA was better (P=0.0012) at 1 day after surgery. No significant difference was found in the count or rate of corneal ECL between the 2 groups at 1 month after surgery (corneal ECL count: P=0.090; corneal ECL rate: P=0.053). The BCVA of the 2 groups at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery was equivalent (P=0.052, 0.26, and 0.41, respectively). Conclusions: The prechop technique assisted with the reverse chopper in treating cataract with grade III nuclei enables less phaco energy consumption, milder ocular structural damage, and faster recovery of vision, compared with traditional phaco-chop technique.

Eye-Related Factors That Can Be Associated With the Plane of Phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of eye-related factors such as biometric and surgical parameters, nuclear sclerosis (NS) grade, and pupil and capsulorhexis diameters on the plane of phacoemulsification (PP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study included 328 eyes of 328 patients who underwent phacoemulsification surgery. The phaco-chop technique was performed in all patients and changes in PP that occurred during surgery were recorded. Patients were grouped as follows: Group 1, > 75% of lens nucleus emulsified in the capsular bag; Group 2, > 75% of lens nucleus emulsified at the pupillary plane; and Group 3, > 50% of lens nucleus emulsified in the anterior chamber. The association between PP and eye-related factors was evaluated. RESULTS: There were 153 patients (46.7 %) in Group 1, 104 patients (31.7 %) in Group 2 and 71 patients (21.6 %) in Group 3. The factors associated with PP were anterior chamber depth (ACD) (p = 0.020) and NS grade (p = 0.028). No significant relationship was detected between PP and age, surgical parameters or other biometric values. Moreover, PP was found to be more anterior in patients with soft cataracts and deeper ACD values (p values were 0.002 and 0.036, respectively). CONCLUSION: The present study has reported that PP may move to more anterior, as softer cataracts may increase the fear of posterior capsule rent. Moreover, PP may move to more posterior due to shallow anterior chambers or high-grade cataracts that could potentially increase the fear of endothelial injury.

Two-hole assisted phaco-chop technique: a more efficient method for safe nucleofractis vertical chopping.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of the two-hole technique in augmenting the efficiency of surgeons-in-training when performing the phaco-chop technique. We hypothesized that drilling two holes in opposite angles to each other adjacent to the capsulorhexis would mimic a new lens equator. The phaco-tip and the chopper can be inserted into these holes at appropriate depths and may sandwich and fracture the lens more easily than conventional methods. METHODS: The two-hole technique described above was performed by three first-year surgeons before they performed the standard phaco-chop technique. We collected data of their first 8 cases and analyzed a total of 64 cases: 16, divide-and-conquer; 24, two-hole method; 24, phaco-chop. The main outcome measures included the cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) and case ultrasound time (UST) with different phacoemulsification techniques. RESULTS: The young practicing surgeons eventually performed the standard phaco-chop more safely after repeated practice using the two-hole method. The drilling of holes enabled deep and effortless impaling of the nucleus. Although there was no significant difference in the CDE among the techniques, there was a significant difference in the UST (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The two-hole method enabled surgeons-in-training to acquire standard phaco-chop skills more efficiently. However, further studies with higher statistical power will be needed to validate these findings. Additionally, a variation of this technique, the four-hole method, is applicable even for experienced surgeons in cases of a hardened nucleus.

Complicaciones posoperatorias inmediatas en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 operados de catarata por la técnica de facochop / Immediate postoperative complications in type 2 diabetic patients undergoing phaco chop cataract surgery

Objetivo: Describir la posible presencia de complicaciones posoperatorias en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2, operados de catarata por la técnica de facochop. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, y longitudinal prospectivo, con 128 pacientes diabéticos (168 ojos) operados de catarata en el Centro de Microcirugía Ocular del Instituto Cubano de Oftalmología "Ramón Pando Ferrer", entre septiembre del año 2017 y diciembre de 2018. Las variables clínicas y epidemiológicas objeto del estudio fueron la edad, el sexo, el color de la piel, la queratometría, la profundidad de la cámara, la longitud axial, la dureza del cristalino, la presión intraocular pre- y posoperatoria y las complicaciones posoperatorias en las primeras 72 horas. Resultados: En el estudio predominaron las mujeres (63,3 por ciento), de piel blanca (74,2 por ciento), quienes presentaron ojos biométricamente normales, con una diferencia estadísticamente significativa. La presión intraocular aumentó a las 24 horas de la cirugía. De los 128 pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 operados de catarata senil por la técnica de facochop, se pudo determinar que el promedio y la desviación estándar de la edad se ubicaron en los 69,49 ± 8,96 años, y osciló entre los 50 y 88 años. Conclusiones: Las complicaciones posoperatorias más frecuentes son el edema corneal y la uveítis. Es significativamente más probable encontrar la uveítis posquirúrgica en pacientes menores de 70 años, y el edema corneal en quienes sobrepasan esta edad(AU)

Objective: Describe the possible presence of postoperative complications in type 2 diabetic patients undergoing phaco chop cataract surgery. Methods: An observational prospective longitudinal descriptive study was conducted of 128 diabetic patients (168 eyes) undergoing cataract surgery at the Center for Ocular Microsurgery of Ramón Pando Ferrer Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology from September 2017 to December 2018. The clinical and epidemiological variables analyzed were age, sex, skin color, keratometry, chamber depth, axial length, crystalline hardness, pre- and postoperative intraocular pressure, and postoperative complications in the first 72 hours. Results: A predominance was found of women (63.3 percent) of white skin color (74.2 percent) and biometrically normal eyes, with a statistically significant difference. Intraocular pressure rose 24 hours after surgery. Mean age and standard deviation were 69.49 ± 8.96 years, range of 50-88 years, in the 128 type 2 diabetic patients undergoing senile cataract surgery by the phaco chop technique. Conclusions: The most common postoperative complications are corneal edema and uveitis. It is significantly more probable to find postsurgical uveitis in patients aged under 70 years and corneal edema in patients aged over 70 years(AU)

Comparison of the phaco chop and drill-and-crack techniques for phacoemulsification of hard cataracts: A fellow eye study.

PURPOSE: To quantify the intraoperative parameters and postoperative outcomes after using the phaco chop technique in one eye and drill-and-crack technique in the other eye in patients with bilateral dense brunescent cataract. METHODS: The Lens Opacities Classification System III grading system was used to select 132 eyes of 66 patients with bilateral nuclear opalescence (NO) grade NO4 or grade NO5. One eye in each patient with bilateral dense brunescent cataract was subjected to phacoemulsification using the phaco chop technique, while the other eye was subjected to phacoemulsification with the drill-and-crack technique for nucleus disassembly. The intraoperative parameters were quantified. Surgical outcome was assessed preoperatively and 1 day, 4 weeks and 12 weeks postoperatively, and the outcomes of the two techniques were compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the techniques in operative parameters [cumulative dissipated energy (p = 0.74), surgical time (p = 0.68) or surgical difficulty during nucleus disassembly (p = 0.80)]. There was no significant difference in the postoperative change in central corneal thickness between the techniques at day 1, 4 weeks and 12 weeks or in corneal endothelial cell density loss at 4 and 12 weeks (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the techniques in the mean corrected distance visual acuity (logarithm of the minimum angle resolution) at 4 weeks postoperatively (p = 0.25). CONCLUSION: The phaco chop and drill-and-crack techniques are equally effective for disassembly of hard NO4 and NO5 cataracts.

Application of different phacoemulsification and chopping techniques in hard nuclear cataract surgery / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To analyze the efficacy of bevel-up phaco chop versus bevel-down phaco drill in the treatment of hard nuclear cataract and the influence on corneal endothelium.<p>METHODS: Between August 2018 and April 2020, 94 patients(104 eyes)with hard(grade Ⅳ-Ⅴ)nuclear cataract treated with phacoemulsification were enrolled in this retrospective study. Among them, 50 eyes treated by bevel-up phaco chop were included in the control group, while 54 eyes treated by phaco drill technique were included in the observation group. The time of using ultrasound, ultrasonic energy and accumulated energy complex parameter in the two groups were recorded. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)in 7d, corneal endothelial cell count in 2mo, the proportions of normal hexagonal cells and the degree of corneal edema in 7d were compared between the two groups.<p>RESULTS: The time of using ultrasound, ultrasonic energy and accumulated energy complex parameter of the observation group were shorter and lower than those of the control group(<i>P</i><0.05). The BCVA of both groups increased after operation, and the observation group had higher BCVA than the control group at the same time(<i>P</i><0.05). In 1 and 2mo, the corneal endothelial cell counts and the proportions of normal hexagonal cells in both groups were lower than those before operation. Meanwhile, the corneal endothelial cell count and the proportions of normal hexagonal cells in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(<i>P</i><0.05). Besides, corneal edema was milder in the observation group than in the control group at 24h and 7d after operation(<i>P</i><0.05).<p>CONCLUSION: Compared with bevel-up phaco chop, phaco drill can significantly shorten the time of using ultrasound, reduce ultrasound energy, promote visual recovery, and reduce corneal endothelial cell damage.

Comparison of press-and-chop and Nagahara phaco-chop phacoemulsification nucleotomy techniques / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To discuss the advantages of press-and-chop technique compared with Nagahara phaco-chop technique.<p>METHORDS: Totally 70 patients(70 eyes)with age-related cataract were randomly divided into 2 groups, press-and-chop technique group(35 patients 35 eyes), phaco-chop technique group(35 patients 35 eyes). In all cases, surgery began with a clear corneal incision, capsulorhexis and hydrodissection. In the press-and-chop technique group, the superficial cortex and epinucleus were aspirated by the phaco tip, then press the center of the lens front surface with the phaco tip. The Nagahara chopper was set around the lens equator, then the phaco tip was driven into the nucleus from the main incision, pull the Nagahara chopper toward the phaco tip. The two instruments were then separated laterally to produce a complete fracture of the nucleus. In phaco-chop technique group, the phaco tip was buried in the center of the endonucleus. The Nagahara chopper was brought through the side-port incision and the equator of endonucleus was engaged by the chopper under the lower edge of the capsulorhexis and pulled toward the phaco tip. The 2 instruments were then separated laterally to produce a complete fracture of the nucleus. The U/S time, preoperative and postoperative corneal endothelial cell density, corneal endothelium loss rate, corneal edema at 1d, 7d, best corrected visual acuity before and after surgery were recorded.<p>RESULTS: The U/S time of press-and-chop technique group was lower than phaco-chop technique group [12.76(8.76,16.76)s <i>vs</i> 22.87(18.36, 27.38)s, <i>P</i><0.01]. The corneal endothelial cells density in press and chop technique group was higher than that in phaco-chop technique group 1mo after operation(2133.44±348.58/mm² <i>vs</i> 1957.94±280.54/mm², <i>P</i><0.05), and the variation rate of corneal endothelial cells in press-and-chop technique group was lower than that in phaco-chop technique group 1mo after surgery [0.15(0.08,0.22)<i>vs</i> 0.22(0.16, 0.28), <i>P</i><0.01]. The corneal edema in press-and-chop technique group was lighter than that in phaco-chop technique group on the first day after surgery(<i>Z</i>=13.195, <i>P</i>=0.004), and corneal edema in both groups subsided on the 7d after surgery. There was no significant difference between two groups in BCVA on the first day after surgery(<i>Z</i>=-0.48, <i>P</i>=0.63).<p>CONCLUSION: Compared with Nagahara phaco-chop technique, press-and-chop technique is simple and safe with less complications.

Scoop and chop - A modified phaco-chop technique for pseudoexfoliation and cataract.

PURPOSE: The purpose is to evaluate the results of the modified direct phaco-chop technique of cataract surgery in eyes with pseudoexfoliation. METHODS: All patients with pseudoexfoliation and visually significant cataract with normal intraocular pressure (IOP) and optic nerve that underwent cataract surgery by the same surgeon using Infiniti®, OZil® Torsional handpiece (Alcon Labs), were included for this retrospective hospital-based study. Direct vertical or horizontal chop technique was used in all cases with parameters set as required for quadrant removal with high vacuum after the initial cleanup of cortex under the capsulorhexis. To allow better visualization of the hardness of the nucleus core, the sides of the lens were scooped out a central well with vacuum with maximum chopping done centrally within the rhexis as the first step to enable better assessment of the depth of burying the chopper for direct chop. Intraoperative details recorded and analyzed included ultrasound time and cumulative dissipated energy. The mean visual acuity and IOP before and after surgery were recorded at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month. Complications during or after surgery were noted. RESULTS: A total of 138 patients with a mean age of 62 ± 6.7 years underwent phachop technique of phacoemulsification for nuclear cataract grades of nuclear sclerosis 2-4 with significant improvement in visual acuity from baseline (0.26) to 3 months (0.82), P < 0.001. The mean ultrasound torsional amplitude and cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) were greater for brown cataract of grading >3, P = 0.02. A total of 8 patients had intraoperative zonular dialysis in 1 quadrant (none in >1 quadrant), which was not associated with intraoperative vitreous prolapse in 6 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Direct modified phaco-chop technique may be a safe technique in pseudoexfoliation due to minimal zonular stress with successful outcomes and reduced complications.

Comparison of power-free-chop and phaco-chop techniques for moderate nuclei.

BACKGROUND: To compare the intraoperative and postoperative effects of power-free-chop and phaco-chop techniques for moderate nuclei in phacoemulsification surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients were evaluated in 2 groups. The power-free-chop technique was performed in Group 1 (30 eyes), and the phaco-chop technique was performed in Group 2 (30 eyes). There were no significant differences between these 2 groups. The cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), time to achieve maximum vision, corneal thickness variation, and time to return to the preoperative values were collected. All parameters were statistically compared in these 2 groups by using the chi-square test and the independent-sample t-test. RESULTS: The CDE was 5.53 ± 1.92 J in Group 1 and 7.02 ± 1.77 J in Group 2. After the operation, the mean time to recover to the maximum vision was 2.80 ± 1.42 days in Group 1 and 3.80 ± 1.92 days in Group 2. The mean postoperative corneal thickness increased 36.9 ± 14.74 µm in Group 1 and 46.20 ± 20.67 µm in Group 2. The mean time to return to preoperative pachymetry values was 3.73 ± 1.70 days and 4.83 ± 2.11 days in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. There were significant differences in these parameters between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The power-free-chop technique had fewer negative effects on the corneal endothelium, as less ultrasound power was used for moderate nucleus cases. This can accelerate the functional healing process and the return to preoperative physiologic values.

Consecutive drilling combined with phaco chop for full thickness segmentation of very hard nucleus in coaxial microincisional cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND: The complete disassembly of nuclear is the most challenging step in hard cataract surgery through microincision. The classic phaco chop technique often does not succeed, resulting in incomplete nuclear segmentation. The authors describe a technique to improve the efficacy and safety of the initial chopping. METHODS: The consecutive drilling combined with phaco chop technique was devised for very hard cataract through a microincision of 1.8-2.2 mm. 3-4 holes are consecutively drilled into the endonucleus with the phaco tip bevel down, at an angle of approximate 60 degrees and depth of approximately two-thirds of the lens thickness. The initial drilling approaches the capsulorhexis edge and the last drilling approaches the lens geometric center. The nucleus is deeply impaled with the last drilling and firmly engaged with high vacuum, and then chopped with chopper centripetally from the lens equator. The chopper and phaco tip are spread apart laterally after they approach at the center of the nucleus, to create a complete fracture across the entire nucleus. This technique has been adopted in 80 eyes of 65 patients with cataract harder than nuclear opalescence 5 on the Lens Opacities Classification System III scale or mature white cataract with a hard nucleus in the past 12 months. RESULTS: In all cases, full thickness segmentation of the hard nuclear including the posterior plate was achieved with this consecutive drilling combined with phaco chop technique. Phacoemulsification and intracapsular implantation of intraocular lens was safely performed in each case. No intraoperative complication such as iris injury, anterior capsule tears, zonulysis or posterior capsule rupture with vitreous loss occurred during surgery. No postoperative complication such as fibrin formation, synechias, severe endothelial cell loss, or endophthalmitis was observed in any case at 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The technique is an efficient, safe, simple, and swift procedure for full-thickness nuclear segmentation, delivering advantage of microincisional phacoemulsifcation for hard cataract with few ocular complications.

Comparison of Surgical Parameters and Outcomes According to the Phacoemulsification Technique

PURPOSE: To compare intraoperative parameters and postoperative results between divide-and-conquer and multiple phaco-chop technique. METHODS: Two different techniques were performed by one operator on the patients with bilateral cataract. One eye was phacoemulsified by divide-and-conquer technique (D eye), and the other was performed by multiple phaco-chop technique (M eye). Changes of central corneal thickness during the operation, total phaco-time and phaco-energy were measured. RESULTS: Total 29 patients were included. The change of central corneal thickness were 8.4 +/- 11.8 microm in D eye and 11.5 +/- 16.7 microm in M eye, which showed no significant difference (p = 0.350) and total phaco-time were 70.1 +/- 32.9 seconds in D eye and 71.1 +/- 55.0 seconds in M eye, which also showed no significant difference (p = 0.689). However, phaco-energy were 12.4 +/- 8.3 power x s in D eye and 8.4 +/- 9.9 power x s in M eye, and this result showed significantly larger energy when using divide-and-conquer technique (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in change of central corneal thickness and phaco-time between two techniques, divide-and-conquer and multiple phaco-chop technique. However, significantly smaller phaco energy was used by multiple phaco-chop technique compared with divide-and-conquer technique.

Effect of High Vacuum Phaco Chop Technique for Hard Nucleolus Cataract / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo observe the effect of high vacuum phaco chop technique for hard nucleolus cataract.Methods51 cases (65 eyes) of hard nucleolus cataract were performed by high vacuum phaco chop.ResultsThe best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 0.3 was in 56 eyes (86%) one day after operation. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 0.3 was in 61 eyes (94%) one month after operation. 3 eyes had posterior capsule rupture in operation.ConclusionHigh vacuum phaco chop technique is safe and effective for hard nucleolus cataract.

The Clinical Results of Small Pupil Phacoemulsification

Phacoemulsification of cataracts with small pupils would induce serious complications in some instance, but we could perform phacoemulsification and IOL implantation in the posterior chamber without any serious complications.We did not need any iris retractors or adjacent iris surgery.Thirty-one eyes of 28 patients with a pupil diameter equal to or less than 4 mm at the beginning of the procedure were reviewed.We analyzed them in the preoperative ocular problems, the size of pupil and the method of enlargement, the technique of nucleus removal, complications, and vision after six months follow-up.Preoperative pupillary diameter was less than 3 mm in 26 cases (83.9%), the most frequent preoperative ocular problem was uveitis with 19 eyes (61.36%).Removing pupillary membrane, releasing of synechiae and mechanical pupillary stretch followed by viscoelastic injection were effective in pupillary expansion.Central phaco chop technique was effective in small pupil cases.In complications, focal corneal edema in 7 eyes and mild iris damage in 6 eyes during surgery.Postoperatively, fibrinous reaction developed in 8 eyes.Postoperative corrected vision of 0.5 or better was in 15 eyes (48.4%), and 22 eyes (71%)had visual increment by 2 lines or more in the Hann's vision chart.In conclusion, phacoemulsification of cataracts with small pupils could be performed safely without serious complications, even with no iris retractor or iris surgery).