Canadian Medical Guide > Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment > Surgical Procedures, Operative > Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures > Cataract Extraction > Phacoemulsification Terms and Definitions

Phacoemulsification

Medical Definition:	A procedure for removal of the crystalline lens in cataract surgery in which an anterior capsulectomy is performed by means of a needle inserted through a small incision at the temporal limbus, allowing the lens contents to fall through the dilated pupil into the anterior chamber where they are broken up by the use of ultrasound and aspirated out of the eye through the incision. The small incision allows the surgeon to use very few or even no stitches to close the tiny wound. There is usually no need for hospitalization and patients may resume most activities within days. (Cline, et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed & In Focus 1993;1(1):1)
Guide Notes:	a type of cataract extraction; do not use /util except by MeSH definition
Previously Indexed:	Cataract Extraction (1970-1995)

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