J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2022 Apr;63(4):345-351. 10.3341/jkos.2022.63.4.345.

Learning Curve in Phaco Chop Cataract Surgery Using an Illuminated Chopper

• Choi YS
• Ahn JH
• Lee KW
• Kim YJ
• Eom YS
• Lee DY
• Nam DH

• KMID: 2528326
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2022.63.4.345

Abstract

Purpose
To confirm that the phaco chop method using an illuminated chopper (iChopper; Oculight, Seongnam, Korea) can reduce cataract surgery complications, and that even beginners can safely and effectively perform phaco chop.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of the first 30 phaco chop cases using illuminated chopper of four cataract surgeons. Four ophthalmologists had a variety of empirical backgrounds, from those who have experienced more than 10,000 cataract surgery, to beginners who have experienced 20 cataract surgery.
Results
Of the total 120 eyes, two eyes (1.67%) had posterior capsule rupture. The chopping method was changed from phaco chop to stop and chop in three eyes (2.5%) including one eye with brown cataract with pseudoexofoliation syndrome and two eyes with nuclear opacity grade ≥5.
Conclusions
The rates of posterior capsule rupture of phaco chop using an illuminated chopper were very low in four surgeons with various experiences and who became proficient shortly in phaco chop.

Keyword

Chip-and-Wire, ESM System, Frequency Down Converter, Front-End, Local Circuit, Low Spurious, Wideband