Abstract: An instrument and method for protecting the corneal endothelium during cataract removal surgery are described. The instrument includes wire legs having curved shielding sections held extending across the endothelium to prevent contact of the cataract nucleus during its removal. An angled tip formed by a wire loop connecting the legs contacts the endothelium and holds the shielding section away. The legs are compressed by squeezing together a pair of leg extensions having pads at the ends to be inserted in a small corneal incision, and a locating section of each leg contacts the cornea surface to position and hold the instrument in position when the legs are released.

Abstract: An instrument and technique is disclosed for protection of lens posterior capsule of the eye during cataract operation. The instrument consists of a length of fine surgical wire mounted at one end in a tubular handle with the tip angled and coated with silicone rubber. The instrument is used in conjunction with the phaco-emulsification removal technique using an ultrasonic instrument, by positioning the coated tip of the instrument intermediate the posterior capsule and the cataract lens nucleus. The cataract lens nucleus is held away from the posterior capsule by manipulation of the instrument during the phaco-emulsification procedure, with the tip protecting the posterior capsule from the action of the ultra-sonic instrument.