The phacoemulsification cataract surgery was developed by an American ophthalmic  physician and surgeon, Dr. Charles D. Kelman. This technique was then practiced by  surgeons by the end of the 1970s.

Nowadays this technique is commonly used by ophthalmic surgeons all around the world. Phacoemulsification, or phaco, is method of cataract surgery in which the eye’s internal lens is emulsified using ultrasonic energy and replaced with an intraocular lens implant, or IOL.

Phaco surgery is performed with a small ultrasonic probe that is inserted into the eye via a two-to-three millimeter incision. This probe breaks the cloudy lens into tiny pieces and aspirates the fragments out of the eye. A  permanent artificial lens (called an intraocular lens or IOL) is implanted,  where the natural lens used to be.

Surgery is performed under a local anesthetic, which prevents movement of the eye. Or topical anesthetic may be used to numb the area. Most procedures take between 15 minutes to 30 minutes