Abstract: An instrument and method are provided for incising an intraocular tissue, such as the anterior capsule of the eye, which requires only a small wound cut in the corneal or scleral tissue. The instrument includes a handle and a head portion attached to the handle, the head portion including spaced first and second ends which define an opening therebetween. The head portion further includes a cutting edge which is operable to engage the intraocular tissue and penetrate at least partially therethrough to create a first incision therein. Creating a second incision in the intraocular tissue adjacent the first incision results in a continuous tissue flap incised in the intraocular tissue.

Abstract: An instrument and method are provided for incising an intraocular tissue, such as the anterior capsule of the eye, which requires only a small wound cut in the corneal or scleral tissue. The instrument includes a handle and a curvilinear head portion attached to the handle. The head portion includes spaced first and second ends which define an opening therebetween, wherein the head portion is preferably generally semicircular in form. The head portion further includes a first cutting edge which is operable to engage the intraocular tissue and penetrate at least partially through the intraocular tissue to create a first curvilinear incision therein. Creating a second curvilinear incision in the intraocular tissue adjacent the first incision results in a continuous curvilinear, preferably generally circular, tissue flap incised in the intraocular tissue.