Surgical technique for small-incision intraocular lens exchange.

We present a simple, effective technique to remove an intraocular lens (IOL) via a very small incision (2.2 mm). After the IOL is carefully removed from the capsular bag, into the anterior chamber, 2 radial incisions, 35 degrees to 50 degrees apart, are made with a Vannas scissors. This results in 2 IOL pieces (maximum width of 2.70 mm) that can be easily explanted through the unenlarged small clear corneal incisions (2.2 mm) in use today.