Scleral stretch incision for cataract surgery. A technique for no-suture closure and control of astigmatism.

The scleral stretch incision for cataract surgery by phacoemulsification is a three-plane, multiwidth corneal incision. It is a refinement of the scleral pocket incision. It uses the elasticity of scleral tissue for insertion of a standard (6.0 mm) poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lens (IOL) through a smaller (4.5 mm) incision. The technique also allows spontaneous wound closure without a suture. Advantages of the scleral stretch incision technique are an efficient, watertight entry into the eye for phacoemulsification and IOL insertion and no-suture closure. Early clinical observations indicate that the scleral stretch incision minimizes surgically induced corneal astigmatism.