CONTROL OF IRRIGATION IN A PHACOEMULSIFICATION SYSTEM

A phacoemulsification system, comprising: a handpiece comprising a piezoelectric element and a needle, the needle configured to be inserted into an eye and to be vibrated by the piezoelectric element to emulsify a lens of the eye; an irrigation module configured to supply a flow of irrigation fluid into the eye; an aspiration module configured for removing material from the eye; circuitry configured to determine whether at least a distal tip of the needle is inside the eye or is outside the eye; and a processor, which is configured to receive a determination from the circuitry as to whether the distal tip of the needle is inside or outside the eye, and to control operation of at least the irrigation module according to the determination.