Dr. MITHUN THULASIDAS

, Dr.KEYA CHAKRABORTY

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of ‘Passive-Hydro Phaco’ technique, which eliminates conventional cortical-cleaving hydrodissection during cataract surgery.

Methods: This technique included shaving the superficial cortex, cracking the nucleus into 2 halves followed by chopping at 7 and 4 o’clock positions, and devouring.

Results: Passive-Hydro Phaco was performed in 112 consecutive eyes. 110 (98.2%) eyes showed a gain of more than two lines of Snellen’s visual acuity at 3 weeks follow-up. The postoperative CDVA at the end of 3 weeks was better than 20/40 in 106 (94.6%) eyes, 20/40 to 20/80 in 6 (5.4%) eyes. The impaired visual acuities in 6 patients were related to corneal opacity, glaucoma, epiretinal membrane, and amblyopia. No significant intraoperative complications occurred in any of the cases.

Conclusion: We propose this surgical technique as an effective solution to avoid hydrodissection-related complications in high-risk cases.