A lenticular net instrument comprises an elongate handle coupled with a lenticular net movable to contracted and expanded configurations via an actuator of the handle. The net in the contracted configuration has a narrow profile for insertion in and removal from a lens capsule through a small incision in the eye. The net is movable to the expanded configuration within the lens capsule behind a cataractous nucleus. The net has a plurality of openings therein of a size to prevent fragments of the cataractous nucleus produced by fragmentation with a fragmenting instrument from passing therethrough such that the fragments do not pass into the vitreous cavity. A method of cataract surgery involves deploying a net behind a cataractous nucleus upon the occurrence of a rupture in the capsular wall.