Evolving trends in cataract surgery techniques and timing.

Evolution in cataract surgery developed along two fronts: technique and timing. New cannulae with very wide aspiration ports permit nucleosuction; a manual small incision method that fractionates and aspirates the nucleus. Phacoemulsification is made easier and safer with phaco sweep. Posterior capsule polishing is gentle if the only vacuum is generated by the infusion passing through the system and the aspiration tubing is not used. Fibrin glue may make long corneal incisions as stable as short ones. Several studies challenge our conventional thoughts simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery and whether patients need to be examined on the first postoperative day.