phacoemulsification

or phak·o·e·mul·si·fi·ca·tion

[ fak-oh-i-muhl-suh-fi-key-shuhn ]

noun

, Surgery.

1. the removal of a cataract by first liquefying the affected lens with ultrasonic vibrations and then extracting it by suction.

Word History and Origins

Origin of phacoemulsification¹

phaco- (< Greek phako-, combining form of phakós “lentil”; lens ) + emulsification ( def )

Example Sentences

Surgeons use a tiny eye incision and a technique called phacoemulsification.

From US News

After scrubbing and suiting up, Paul turned to the surgical table to review the phacoemulsification machine, which uses ultrasonic waves to emulsify the lens of the eye so it can be safely removed.

From Washington Post

One such improvement, phacoemulsification extraction, was first adopted in the mid-1980s and is now the preferred procedure for cataract surgery.

From Reuters

These days, cataract removal is usually done via a technique called "phacoemulsification."

From Reuters