Abstract: A intra-ocular lens insertion system and a method for coating a cartridge for use with such a system is disclosed. The coating method dicloses means for applying a two layer coating having a base coat and a top coat to the interior of a lens insertion cartridge which promotes lubricity.

Abstract: A system for lighting a field for diagnosis or microsurgery, especially eye surgery. Basically, in one embodiment a ring light having a diameter sufficient to surround the objective lens of a surgical microscope is mounted on a housing adjacent to the objective lens. The ring light provides broad, shadowless illumination over the surgical site. In addition, where surgery of the cornea is to be undertaken, a ring of light is reflected from the cornea surface and can be observed through the microscope as indicative of astigmatism. In alternate embodiment, two smaller ring lights are mounted on the housing surrounding and coaxial with the microscope entrance pupils. In this case two circular rings in a figure eight configuration are projected onto the cornea. A light intensity varying mechanism controls ring light intensity. A center light is provided between the objective lenses providing a point source for uniformly illuminating the central portion of the microsurgery site.

Abstract: An improved surgical knife blade particularly suited to eye surgery having a triple edged truncated point. An elongated, flat diamond blade has a primal end adapted to be supported in a handle or the like and a sharp distal end adapted to penetrate and cut tissue, such as the cornea of the eye in radial keratotomy. The blade has a first edge lying generally parallel to the blade axis and a second edge at the distal blade end converging toward the first edge at a selected angle, optimally about 15.degree.. A flat transverse tip is provided at the meeting point of the first and second edges, at an angle of from about 45.degree. to 135.degree. to the first blade edge. Both edges and the tip are faceted to provide uniformly very sharp edges. This blade will penetrate tissue more easily and under greater control than prior blades so that arcuate transverse incisions may be accurately made in astigmatic keratotomy. Incisions of uniform depth to nearly the ends of the incisions can be made more accurately.