Editing Phacoemulsification (section)

{{Short description|Method of cataract surgery}}
{{Infobox medical intervention |
  Name        = Phacoemulsification |
  Image       = Cataract surgery.jpg |
  Caption     = Phacoemulsification: Cataract surgery, by a [[Temporalbone|temporal]] approach, using a phacoemulsification probe (in right hand) and "chopper"(in left hand), being done under operating microscope at a [[United States Navy]] medical center |
  ICD10       = |
  ICD9        = {{ICD9proc|13.41}} |
  MeshID      = D018918 |
  OPS301      = |
  OtherCodes  = |
}}

'''Phacoemulsification''' is a [[cataract surgery]] method in which the internal [[lens (anatomy)|lens]] of the [[human eye|eye]] which has developed a [[cataract]] is [[emulsion|emulsified]] with the tip of an [[ultrasound|ultrasonic]] handpiece and aspirated from the eye. Aspirated fluids are replaced with irrigation of [[balanced salt solution]] to maintain the volume of the [[Anterior chamber of eyeball|anterior chamber]] during the procedure. This procedure minimises the incision size and reduces the recovery time and risk of surgery-induced [[astigmatism]].

It is best suited to relatively soft cataracts, where the ultrasonic energy required is moderate, and insertion of foldable intraocular prosthetic lenses, which take advantage of the small incision possible. It is the most common procedure for cataract removal in the developed world, with an excellent prognosis in uncomplicated cases.