Historical aspects of phaco-surgery. Part 2

Yusef Y. N.
Doctor of Medicine, professor, Director
ORCID: 0000-0003-4043-456X

Alkharki L.
MD, PhD
ORCID: 0000-0001-6791-4219

Al-Mahdar Y. M.
MD, Ophtalmologist
ORCID: 0000-0002-3038-9075

M. M. Krasnov Eye Diseases Research Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation

Al-Mahdar Yamen Muhi-Alddin; e-mail: almahdar_yamen@mail.ru

None declared.

The study had no sponsorship.

Cataract surgery is one of the oldest operations described in medical literature. Although numerous articles on this topic have been published over time, we will highlight key moments in the long history of cataract surgery. In our historical overview, we discovered fascinating details that influence modern trends in phaco surgery. The progress achieved in this field is remarkable. The earliest procedures were performed using primitive instruments, but today, advanced phacoemulsification techniques combined with femtosecond laser technology deliver excellent outcomes, restoring vision to our patients.

eye, cataract, extracapsular extraction, intraocular lenses, phacoemulsification, femtosecond laser

10.29234/2308-9113-2025-13-2-79-90

1. Avetisov S.E., Ambartsumian A.R., Avetisov K.S. Diagnosticheskie vozmozhnosti ul'trazvukovoj biomikroskopii v fakohirurgii. [Diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound biomicroscopy in phaco surgery.] Vestnik Oftalmologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 2013; 129(5): 32‑42. (In Russ.)

2. Avetisov S.E., Mamikonian V.R., Iusef Iu.N., Iusef S.N., Ivanov M.N., Avetisov K.S. Gibridnaya fakoemul'sifikaciya: novyj etap v sovershenstvovanii hirurgii katarakty (?) [Hybrid phacoemulsification: a new stage in the improvement of cataract surgery (?).] Vestnik Oftalmologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 2014; 130(2): 4‑7. (In Russ.)

3. Alekseev B.N. Intrakapsulyarnaya implantaciya iskusstvennogo hrustalika. [Intracapsular implantation of an artificial lens.] Vestnik Oftalmologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 1976: (5): 31-36. (In Russ.)

4. Voronin G.V., Mamikonian V.R., Sheludchenko V.M., Narbut M.N. Klinicheskie rezul'taty korrekcii afakii mul'tifokal'nymi intraokulyarnymi linzami. [Clinical results of aphakia correction with multifocal intraocular lenses.] Vestnik Oftalmologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 2017; 133(1): 37‑41, doi: 10.17116/oftalma2017133137-41 (In Russ.)

5. Voronin G.V., Mashkova N.A. Pervyj opyt primeneniya intraokulyarnoj linzy s fiksaciej k raduzhke u bol'nyh s otkrytougol'noj glaukomoj. [The First Experience of Iris-fixated Intraocular Lens Implantation in Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma.] Vestnik Oftalmologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 2012; 128(6): 38‑40. (In Russ.)

6. Krasnov M.M. Ekstrakapsulyarnaya ekstrakciya katarakty i ee perspektivy. [Extracapsular cataract extraction and its prospects.] Vestnik Oftalmologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 1977; (1): 3-8. (In Russ.)

7. Krasnov M.M., Akopyan V.S. Ispol'zovanie lazernoj kapsulofakopunktury pri lechenii «myagkoj katarakty». [The use of laser capsule acupuncture in the treatment of «soft cataracts».] Vestnik Oftalmologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 1976; (1): 22-25.

8. Krasnov M.M., Bocharov V.E., Dvali M.L. Fakoemul'sifikaciya katarakty s implantaciej iskusstvennogo hrustalika. [Phacoemulsification of a cataract with implantation of an artifical lenes.] Vestnik oftal’mologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 1975; 91(5): 29-32. (In Russ.)

9. Krasnov M.M., Dvali M.L., Polunin G.S., Ivanov M.N., Fedorov A.A., Shramko I.A. Effektivnost' primeneniya proteoliticheskih fermentov pri ekstrakapsulyarnoj ekstrakcii katarakty. [The effectiveness of proteolytic enzymes in extracapsular cataract extraction.] Vestnik oftal’mologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 1990; (5): 8-12. (In Russ.)

10. Krasnov M.M., Kasparov A.A., Mamikonyan V.R., Yousef Yu.N., Vvedensky A.S., Yusef S.N. Modifikaciya operacii fakoemul'sifikacii pri podvyvihe hrustalika. [A new modified phacoemulsification operation in lenticular subluxation.] Vestnik oftal’mologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 2000; 116(1): 10-12. (In Russ.)

11. Kumar V., Dushin N.V. Implantaciya intraokulyarnoj linzy Iris-claw IOL pri oslozhnennyh formah afakii. [Implantation of intraocular lens «Iris-claw» in complicated forms of aphakia.] Klinicheskaja oftal’mologija [Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology] 2002; 3(4): 158-161. (In Russ.)

12. Pershin K.B., Pashinova N.F., Tsygankov A.Yu., Antonov E.A., Konovalova M.M. Rezul'taty bilateral'noj implantacii trifokal'noj intraokulyarnoj linzy i intraokulyarnoj linzy s rasshirennoj glubinoj fokusa. [Outcomes of bilateral implantation of trifocal and extended depth of focus IOLs.] Vestnik oftal’mologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 2022; 138(5): 30‑38, doi: 10.17116/oftalma202213805130 (In Russ.)

13. Pershin K.B., Pashinova N.F., Cygankov A.Yu., Legkih S.L. Fakoemul'sifikaciya s implantaciej IOL pri ekstremal'no vysokoj miopii. [Phacoemulsification with IOL Implantation in Extremely High Myopia.] Kataraktal'naya i refrakcionnaya hirurgiya [Cataract and Refractive Surgery] 2015; 15(3): 14-21. (In Russ.)

14. Yousef S.N., Yousef Iu.N., Ivanov M.N. Nekotorye osobennosti fakoemul'sifikacii pri podvyvihe hrustalika. [Some features of phakoemulsification in lens subluxation.] Vestnik oftal’mologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 2013; 129(3): 12‑15. (In Russ.)

15. Yousef Y.N., Yousef S.N., Vvedenskiy A.S., Avetisov K.S., Alkharki L. Femtolazernaya fakoemul'sifikaciya perezreloj katarakty. [Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Facoemulsification of Hypermature Cataract.] Oftal'mologiya [Ophthalmology in Russia] 2020; 17(S3): 592-596, doi: 10.18008/1816-5095-2020-3S-592-596 (In Russ.)

16. Yousef Yu.N., Yousef S.N., Vvedenskiy A.S., Ivanov M.N., Alkhumidi K., Dudieva F.K. Femtolazernaya fakoemul'sifikaciya perezreloj katarakty u bol'nyh s podvyvihom hrustalika. [Femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification of hypermature cataract in patients with lens subluxation.] Vestnik oftal’mologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 2021; 137(5‑2): 209‑216, doi: 10.17116/oftalma2021137052209 (In Russ.)

17. Yousef Yu.N., Yousef S.N., Reznikova E.V., Vvedenskiy A.S. Hirurgiya katarakty u pacientov s vysokoj blizorukost'yu. [Cataract surgery in patients with high myopia.] Vestnik oftal’mologii [Russian Annals of Ophthalmology] 2005; 121(6): 47-49. (In Russ.)

18. Agarwal A., Kumar D.A., Jacob S., Baid C., Agarwal A., Srinivasan S. Fibrin glue-assisted sutureless posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in eyes with deficient posterior capsules. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2008; 34(9): 1433-1438, doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2008.04.040

19. Arkin M.S., Steinert R.F. Sutured posterior chamber intraocular lenses. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 1994; 34(3): 67-85, doi: 10.1097/00004397-199403430-00009

20. Ascaso F.J., Huerv V. The History of Cataract Surgery. 2013. InTech, doi: 10.5772/19243

21. Bellan L. The Evolution of Cataract Surgery: The Most Common Eye Procedure in Older Adults. Medscape, Geriatrics and Aging 2008; 11(6): 328-332.

22. Christakis P.G., Braga-Mele R.M. Intraoperative performance and postoperative outcome comparison of longitudinal, torsional, and transversal phacoemulsification machines. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2012; 38(2): 234-41, doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2011.08.035

23. Davison J.A. Cumulative tip travel and implied followability of longitudinal and torsional phacoemulsification. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2008; 34(6): 986-990, doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2008.02.029

24. Davison J.A. Ultrasonic power reduction during phacoemulsification using adjunctive NeoSoniX technology. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2005; 31(5): 1015-1019, doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2004.09.025

25. DeMill D.L., Zaugg B.E., Pettey J.H., Jensen J.D., Jardine G.J., Wong G., Olson R.J. Objective comparison of 4 nonlongitudinal ultrasound modalities regarding efficiency and chatter. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2012; 38(6): 1065-1071, doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2011.12.040

26. Donaldson K.E., Braga-Mele R., Cabot F., Davidson R., Dhaliwal D.K., Hamilton R., Jackson M., Patterson L., Stonecipher K., Yoo S.H.; ASCRS Refractive Cataract Surgery Subcommittee. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2013; 39(11): 1753-1763, doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2013.09.002

27. Faulkner G.D. Early experience with STAAR silicone elastic lens implants. J Cataract Refract Surg. 1986; 12(1): 36-39, doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(86)80053-0

28. Fechner P.U. Preparation of 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose for viscous surgery. J Am Intraocul Implant Soc. 1985; 11(6): 606-607, doi: 10.1016/s0146-2776(85)80150-6

29. Fine I.H., Packer M., Hoffman R.S. New phacoemulsification technologies. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2002; 28(6): 1054-1060, doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(02)01399-8

30. Gills J.P., Sanders D.R. Use of small incisions to control induced astigmatism and inflammation following cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 1991; 17 Suppl: 740-744, doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(13)80695-5

31. Gimbel H.V., Neuhann T. Development, advantages, and methods of the continuous circular capsulorhexis technique. J Cataract Refract Surg. 1990; 16(1): 31-37, doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(13)80870-x

32. Gimbel H.V., Sun R., Ferensowicz M., Anderson Penno E., Kamal A. Intraoperative management of posterior capsule tears in phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Ophthalmology 2001; 108(12): 2186-2189; discussion 2190-2192, doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(01)00716-3

33. Hoffman R.S., Fine I.H., Packer M., Brown L.K. Comparison of sonic and ultrasonic phacoemulsification using the Staar Sonic Wave system. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2002; 28(9): 1581-1584, doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(01)01324-4

34. Kelman C.D. Phaco-emulsification and aspiration. A new technique of cataract removal. A preliminary report. Am J Ophthalmol. 1967; 64(1): 23-35.

35. Kelman C.D. Phaco-emulsification and aspiration. A report of 500 consecutive cases. Am J Ophthalmol. 1973; 75(5): 764-768, doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(73)90878-7

36. Khurana A.K. Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 4th Ed. 2007. New Age International (P) Ltd. Publishers.

37. Kohnen T. Compromised corneal endothelium and cataract: how should we decide? J Cataract Refract Surg. 2011; 37(8): 1377-1378, doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2011.06.013

38. Maggi R., Maggi C. Sutureless scleral fixation of intraocular lenses. J Cataract Refract Surg. 1997; 23(9): 1289-1294, doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(97)80104-6

39. Malbran E.S., Malbran E. Jr., Negri I. Lens guide suture for transport and fixation in secondary IOL implantation after intracapsular extraction. Int Ophthalmol. 1986; 9(2-3): 151-160, doi: 10.1007/BF00159844.

40. Maloney W.F., Shapiro D.R. Universal small incision for cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 1991; 17 Suppl: 702-705, doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(13)80686-4

41. Mazzocco T. Silicone compressible elastic implant lenses. Current Can. Ophthalmic Pract. 1986; 4: 66-69.

42. Nagy Z., Takacs A., Filkorn T., Sarayba M. Initial clinical evaluation of an intraocular femtosecond laser in cataract surgery. J Refract Surg. 2009; 25(12): 1053-1060, doi: 10.3928/1081597X-20091117-04

43. Nayak B.K., Shukla R.O. Effect on corneal endothelial cell loss during phacoemulsification: fortified balanced salt solution versus Ringer lactate. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2012; 38(9): 1552-1558, doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2012.04.036

44. Packer M., Fine I.H., Hoffman R.S., Piers P.A. Prospective randomized trial of an anterior surface modified prolate intraocular lens. J Refract Surg. 2002; 18(6): 692-696, doi: 10.3928/1081-597X-20021101-05

45. Por Y.M., Lavin M.J. Techniques of intraocular lens suspension in the absence of capsular/zonular support. Surv Ophthalmol. 2005; 50(5): 429-462, doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2005.06.010

46. Sanders D.R., Sanders M.L. Visual performance results after Tetraflex accommodating intraocular lens implantation. Ophthalmology 2007; 114(9): 1679-1684, doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2006.12.017

47. Shearing S.P. Evolution of the posterior chamber intraocular lens. J Am Intraocul Implant Soc. 1984; 10(3): 343-346, doi: 10.1016/s0146-2776(84)80010-5

48. Simcoe C.W. Simcoe posterior chamber lens: theory, techniques and results. J Am Intraocul Implant Soc. 1981; 7(2): 154-157, doi: 10.1016/s0146-2776(81)80064-x

49. Stegmann R, Miller D. Extracapsular cataract extraction with hyaluronate sodium. Ann Ophthalmol. 1982; 14(9): 813-815.

50. Teichmann K.D., Teichmann I.A. Haptic design for continuous-loop, scleral fixation of posterior chamber lens. J Cataract Refract Surg. 1998; 24(7): 889, doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(98)80038-2