AIM: To discuss the curative effect of different chopping techniques on hard nuclear during the phacoemulsification in age-related cataract.

METHODS: Totally 200 elderly patients(264 eyes)with age-related cataract were selected from January 2015 and January 2018 in our Hospital, according to the random digital table method, they were divided into the interceptor group(100 patients 130 eyes)and the hook group(100 patients 134 eyes). Interceptor group was given interceptor chopping techniques to complete phacoemulsification; the hook group was given hook pre-chopping techniques to complete phacoemulsification. The actual phacoemulsification time(US/TIME), the cumulative release energy(CDE), the best corrected visual acuity, the corneal edema degree, the complication were compared in the two groups.

RESULTS: The US/TIME and CDE in the hook group were significantly lower than those in the interceptor group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The 1 and 3d postoperative best corrected visual acuity in the hook group were significantly higher than those in the interceptor group, the 1 and 3d postoperative corneal edema degree in the hook group were significantly lower than those in the interceptor group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The comparison of the 7d postoperative best corrected visual acuity and corneal edema degree in the interceptor group and the hook group, there was no statistically significant difference(P>0.05). The complication rate in the hook group was significantly lower than that in the interceptor group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Compared with the interceptor chopping techniques, the hook pre-chopping techniques can effectively reduce the US/TIME and CDE of phacoemulsification in the age-related cataract patients, it is beneficial to improve the best corrected visual acuity and the corneal edema degree as soon as possible, and it can effectively reduce the complications.