The purpose of this article is to update information on the phacoemulsification equipment based on a systematic review of available literature within the past year. Phacoemulsification has gained acceptance as the standard technique for cataract surgery worldwide, and new phacoemulsification techniques and equipment have been reported. The authors conducted a MEDLINE literature search from August 2000 to the present. Software and hardware upgrades in ultrasound phacoemulsilification equipment have not been found in peer-reviewed publications this past year. Lasers for cataract surgery have been reviewed to a limited extent. Ultrasound phacoemulsilification is well established. Alternative methods of nuclear disassembly are being evaluated and reported.