Surgeon encourages 'tranquil transition' to torsional phaco

HANOI, Vietnam — An easy learning curve, ease of use and improved safety make torsional phacoemulsification the best option available for cataract surgery, according to a surgeon speaking here.

At the Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting, Con Moshegov, MD, said that torsional phacoemulsification is an improved cataract surgery technique and that making the switch to using it is "easy."

Dr. Moshegov listed several advantages to switching to torsional phaco performed using the Infiniti system (Alcon) and the OZil torsional handpiece (Alcon). The torsional, side-to-side motion of the phaco tip reduces cavitation, which results in less repulsion, better followability and less heat, he said.

"You only need a little amount of movement in the wound vs. the jackhammer effect of traditional phaco," which he said results in a low amount of actual contact with the nucleus.

Because of the torsional contact, Dr. Moshegov said he does not need to change his phaco settings during surgery.

"When you use traditional phaco, you have to adjust. For me, I only need one set of parameters for all densities of cataract. It's comparable to driving an automatic car," he said.