Phaco Tip 139:
Single-Piece Acrylic IOL Insertion

The incision size required for insertion of a single-piece ACRYSOF^® IOL can be minimized by the use of an injector, with partial insertion of the cartridge tip into the anterior chamber. Using a MONARCH^® II injector to insert the SA-60 single-piece ACRYSOF^® IOL (2.75 mm incision), the tip of the injector is advanced until the leading edge of the beveled tip is just beyond the internal edge of the incision (figure). The IOL is then injected into the capsular sac.

Note that this maneuver is facilitated by maintaining pressure of the cartridge laterally against the wall of the eye and also downward (toward the optic nerve). If topical anesthesia is used, asking the patient to look in the direction of the surgeon is also helpful.

* PhacoTip TM of Richard J. Mackool, M.D.

The parameters (instrument settings) and incision size presented here have been established by the surgeon and do not reflect recommendations by Alcon.

Fig. 1