Abstract: This invention is a method and an apparatus for surgical irrigation, aspiration and illumination comprising a cooperative irrigation, aspiration and illumination system wherein the three functions are cooperatively performed at the actual surgical area during surgery. A single hand-held instrument capable of simultaneously and cooperatively providing light, irrigation and aspiration in a single and simultaneous act is utilized in a preferred method of practicing this invention. The light flows around the aspiration tip, which in turn carries the irrigation member. The amount of irrigation and aspiration is controlled by a one-hand operation of the surgeon or other operating room attendant.