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 )