Abstract: The invention relates to a corneal pocketing tool for separating the lamella of the cornea. The corneal pocketing tool has a dissector portion for insertion into a corneal incision and a reference surface or region adapted to contact the cornea. As the dissector is advanced into the corneal incision the reference region comes into contact with the surface of the cornea and resists further advancement of the dissector. As the reference region is moved in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the dissector portion follows in the same direction forming a pocket in the cornea.