phacoemulsification

noun

A form of cataract surgery in which the eye's internal lens is emulsified with an ultrasonic handpiece and aspirated from the eye. Aspirated fluids are replaced with irrigation of balanced salt solution, thus maintaining the anterior chamber, as well as cooling the handpiece.

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Meanings

nounphacoemulsification (countable and uncountable, plural phacoemulsifications)

plural phacoemulsifications

  1. countableuncountablemedicineA form of cataract surgery in which the eye's internal lens is emulsified with an ultrasonic handpiece and aspirated from the eye. Aspirated fluids are replaced with irrigation of balanced salt solution, thus maintaining the anterior chamber, as well as cooling the handpiece.

Origin

From phaco- + emulsification.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

phacoemulsification. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phacoemulsification

MLA

“phacoemulsification.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phacoemulsification. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “phacoemulsification,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phacoemulsification.

Source: phacoemulsification on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.