Modified epinucleus pre-chop for the dense posterior polar cataract

A novel technique for the surgical management of dense posterior polar cataracts is described. In instances where hydrodelineation may be difficult to achieve due to the density of the nucleus, the anterior epinucleus is first pre-chopped in a piecemeal in situ maneuver before mobilizing, segmenting, and emulsifying the dense endonucleus. This is followed by the removal of the posterior epinucleus and the posterior polar plaque. Because the chopper is repositioned at different meridians in the mid-periphery of the anterior epinucleus, it stops short of the central posterior epinucleus, thus avoiding extension of the crack toward the posterior polar plaque and the posterior capsule.