THE USE OF PHACOFRAGMENTATION, PHACOASPIR ATION AND IMPLANTATION OF INTRAOCULAR LENSES IN VETERINARY CATARACT-SURGERY

The use of the phacotechnique in veterinary cataract surgery is an alt ernative method to the extracapsular lens extraction (ECCE). The main advantage of this technique is the low degree of ocular trauma and irr itation because of the small corneal incision, which enables surgery i n a formed anterior chamber. This incision has to be enlarged to a max imum of 8 mm to implant the intraocular lens (IOL) after phacoaspirati on. The disadvantage is the relative high price of the phaco-machine. A description of the technique including indications, contraindication s, pre- and postsurgical care and possible complications are given.