Quantification of occlusion break surge

“The majority of current phacoemulsification systems use peristaltic-based pump designs that allow for separate control of aspiration flow rate and vacuum limit,” said Dr Ramon Lorente MD, of the US, during a presentation at the ESCRS Congress. “However, in some situations, occlusion break surge can cause a rapid drop in intraocular pressure, full or partial anterior chamber collapse, iris trauma or posterior capsule rupture.”

Dr Lorente presented the results of his bench study that quantified the degree of simulated occlusion break surge in three phacoemulsifiers. The systems and fluidics tested were the Centurion Vision System with gravity packs (Alcon); the Infinity Vision System with Intrepid Plus gravity packs (Alcon); and the WhiteStar Signature System with OPO70 packs (Abbott).