Crater-and-split technique for phacoemulsification: modification of the crater-and-chop technique.

We describe a modification of the crater-and-chop technique for removing cataracts of all densities. Following creation of a central crater approximately 3.0 mm in diameter at the geometric center of the endonucleus, a nucleus splitter is inserted under the capsule and the phaco tip is inserted in the crater. Simultaneously, the splitter is moved from the nucleus periphery toward the phaco tip horizontally to split the nucleus and both the phaco tip and nucleus splitter are pushed aside as they come very close without vacuum at any point. The nucleus is rotated and splitting is repeated in the same manner until the nucleus is divided into pieces that are small enough to be emulsified easily. With this technique, the soft nucleus is split without vacuum and a very hard nucleus can be split through the posterior plate with minimal stress to zonular fibers.