YAG laser demonstration of the anatomy of the lens nucleus.
I used YAG laser energy to demonstrate the position and surface of the core of the lens nucleus and to prove the existence of the radial structure of the lens nucleus. Not only does hydrodissection of the epinuclear layers from the nuclear core demonstrate the existence of an anatomical substrate, but also radial fracturing of the nucleus both in phacoemulsification and planned extracapsular surgery can make use of these anatomical features to achieve smaller incisions and thereby smaller wounds.