A method and system for use in an ocular surgical procedure is provided. The design includes a handpiece having an ultrasonically vibrating tip operational within a plurality of operating modes including a first operating mode and a sensing device, such as a vacuum pressure sensor. A controller is connected to the handpiece and sensing device and is configured to receive data from the sensing device and adjust at least one operational parameter (time/duty cycle of operation, power during operation) associated with the first operating mode and adjust at least one parameter associated with another operating mode based on the data received from the sensing device. Operational modes may include multiple longitudinal or non-longitudinal modes (torsional, transversal, etc.) or combinations of longitudinal and/or non-longitudinal modes.