A method to provide an efficient, safe, and easy to use supracapsular
method for removal of cataracts, wherein a groove is formed in the
cataract nucleus, the nucleus is cracked along the groove into two halves
and rotated approximately 90 degrees, force is applied to the proximal
half to effect movement of the distal half into a stacked position
relative to the proximal half, and the nucleus halves along with the
remainder of the cataract are then emulsified and removed.
In order to minimize the chances of trauma to the capsule while sweeping
the lens capsule away from cataract portions as well as making a crack in
the nucleus and for otherwise assisting in manipulation of nucleus
portions, an instrument has a prongless cataract-engaging portion,
preferably with a convex frontal edge.