To the Editor.
—Recent developments in both cataract and vitreous surgery have given rise to a complicated and often confusing nomenclature and threaten the future with more of the same.
I propose the following system for the creation of new terms, a system that could internationalize terminology and lay a logical foundation on which the vocabulary in this area could be built. The words derive from the Greek (derivation and meaning is in parentheses).
Phakotemahynsis (temahynsis, fragmentation):
to substitute for phakoemulsification, phakofragmentation, etc. As applied to the vitreous, it would be "vitreotemahynsis."
Rouphexis (rouphexis, sucking):
to stand for suction, aspiration, etc. This shall denote an active component (eg, phakorouphexis, vitreorouphexis).
Hydrephsis (watering)
to stand for irrigation. This shall connote a minimal active component (eg, gravity).
Plynsis (washing):
to substitute for wash-out, etc (eg, anterior chamber plynsis, hyphema plynsis, orbital plynsis). This shall denote a passive component to the procedure performed.
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