👁️ Cataract Surgery (Phacoemulsification) Simulator

Cataract Lens Opacification

Aging proteins clump inside the lens, clouding vision over time.

• ~100M: Global cataract cases (people affected worldwide)
• #1: Leading blindness cause (globally, per WHO)
• 60+: Typical patient age (years at onset)
• >95%: Surgery success rate (restored vision)

Protein clumping in the lens

Crystallin proteins aggregate and scatter incoming light.

Symptoms of opacification

Blurry vision, glare, and faded colors gradually appear.

Placeholder insight: density grading guides surgical planning.

Corneal Incision Access

A microscopic incision gives instruments entry to the eye.

• ~2.2mm: Incision width (self-sealing clear cornea)
• Topical: Anesthesia type (drops, no general anesthesia)
• Outpatient: Procedure setting (same-day discharge)
• Sutureless: Incision healing (self-sealing wound)

Clear corneal incision

Surgeon creates a small self-sealing tunnel incision.

Viscoelastic protection

A gel maintains chamber depth and protects tissues.

Ultrasonic Phacoemulsification

High-frequency vibration breaks the hard lens into small pieces.

• ~40kHz: Probe frequency (ultrasonic tip oscillation)
• 0–100%: Energy range (surgeon-adjustable power)
• 4+: Fragmentation techniques (divide-and-conquer, chop)
• 2–10min: Typical duration (depends on density)

Ultrasonic tip vibration

The titanium tip oscillates to emulsify lens material.

Energy vs. density tradeoff

Harder cataracts require more energy and more time.

Placeholder insight: excess energy raises endothelial stress.

Fragment Aspiration

Suction channels clear emulsified fragments from the eye.

• Variable: Aspiration flow (vacuum-controlled removal)
• Yes: Capsule preserved (bag kept intact for IOL)
• Irrigation: Cortical cleanup (residual matter flushed out)
• Maintained: Chamber stability (via fluidics balance)

Vacuum-driven removal

Fragments are drawn into the probe lumen and cleared.

Irrigation balance

Fluid inflow keeps the eye pressurized and stable.

IOL Implantation & Unfolding

A folded artificial lens unfolds inside the empty capsule.

• Acrylic: IOL material (foldable, biocompatible)
• ~2.2mm: Insertion incision (same tiny incision reused)
• Seconds: Unfolding time (inside capsule bag)
• Days: Vision recovery (sharp vision restored fast)

Folded lens injection

The IOL is compressed and injected through the incision.

Unfolding & centration

Haptic arms spring open, centering the lens precisely.

Placeholder insight: proper centration optimizes visual outcome.