What Is Phaco Surgery? A Complete Guide to Modern Cataract Treatment

Medically Reviewed

Written by Pooja Rawat, Medical Content Writer

If your doctor has recommended phaco surgery, you might have many questions in your mind, like

• How does phaco surgery work?

• Is it worth it to undergo this procedure?

• What is the cost of phaco surgery?

Here is the quick answer for you:

Phaco surgery, also known as phacoemulsification, is a modern cataract surgery first developed by Charles Kelman in 1967. 

Your surgeon will use ultrasound energy through a tiny incision to break up your cloudy natural lens into many tiny pieces. Then, they’ll suction out those pieces. Afterwards, the surgeon replaces the natural lens with an artificial foldable intraocular lens (IOL).

When done under the guidance of a medical professional, phacoemulsification is safer, more efficient, and significantly faster when compared with conventional cataract operations. It helps achieve extremely good visual outcomes. The average cataract operation cost in Mumbai, India, for phacoemulsification (Phaco) is around ₹15,000–₹60,000 per eye, based on several factors.

Read this blog to have a better understanding of phaco cataract surgery.

Quick Overview: Phaco Surgery 

Read the table below to have a quick idea about the cataract procedure:

What Is Phaco Surgery?

Phaco surgery, medically known as phacoemulsification. It is a minimally invasive cataract surgery technique, where a surgeon inserts a tiny ultrasonic probe into your eye to break the cloudy lens into tiny fragments, which are then suctioned out. 

Then, a foldable IOL is inserted through the same small incision (2.2–3.0 mm). There are no large incisions made to perform the procedure.

Benefits of Phacoemulsification

The main benefits are:

• Smaller incision (about 2.2–3.0 mm) 
• Faster visual recovery 
• Less surgically induced astigmatism (the eye is oval-shaped, a type of refractive error)
• Less discomfort 
• Generally no stitches 
• Excellent long-term vision outcomes 

Phaco Surgery Full Form

PHACO is not an acronym.

The word originated from the Greek word “phakos,” which means lens.

Therefore:

• Phaco meaning: Lens
• Phaco means: Cataract removal with the help of ultrasound energy

The complete medical term is:

Phacoemulsification

which simply means emulsifying (breaking into tiny particles) the eye’s natural lens.

What Happens During Phaco Eye Surgery?

Understanding the steps often reduces anxiety before surgery.

Step 1: Eye Preparation

• Your eye is cleaned properly to lower infection risk.
• Eye drops are used for numbing your eye.
• You might remain awake throughout the procedure.

Step 2: Tiny Corneal Incision

• Your surgeon will create a very small incision close to the edge of the cornea.
• Fortunately, the incision is so tiny that it usually seals itself naturally.

Step 3: Capsulorhexis

• A circular opening is created in the front of the lens capsule.
• This allows access to the cloudy cataract and enables the surgeon to preserve the capsule for the artificial lens.

Step 4: Phacoemulsification

• An ultrasonic probe vibrates thousands of times per second to break down the cataract into tiny pieces.
• Simultaneously, tiny pieces are suctioned out.

Think of it like crushing ice into fine particles and vacuuming it immediately.

Step 5: Phaco with Foldable IOL

• When the cataract is removed, the surgeon inserts a foldable IOL.
• Because it is foldable, it passes via the same tiny incision (about 2.2–3.0 mm) and unfolds naturally inside the eye.
• Thankfully, no large incision is needed.

Modern foldable lenses are available as:

• Monofocal IOL 
• Toric IOL (for astigmatism) 
• Multifocal IOL 
• Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) lenses 

Doctors recommend the foldable lenses based on your eye health, lifestyle, and your preference.

Step 6: Wound Closure  

• The incision is hydrated and seals naturally.
• Most individuals do not require stitches.