Human cataractous lens nucleus implanted in a sheep eye lens as a model for phacoemulsification training.

We describe a realistic and inexpensive experimental cataract model for phacoemulsification training. After a capsulorhexis is performed, a deep cavity in the lens of an enucleated sheep eye is formed by phacoemulsification through a lateral incision. An undamaged human cataractous lens nucleus obtained by extracapsular cataract extraction is inserted in the preformed cavity, resting in the center of a cortex cushion. Phacoemulsification training is performed through a corneal tunnel incision. The experimental model is prepared with a human cataractous lens nucleus of the preferred hardness, simulating nuclear phacoemulsification in humans.