title: Effect of foldable intraocular lens insertion on incision width.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the surgical incision enlarges during insertion of foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Mackool Eye Institute, Astoria, New York.
  
  
  METHODS
  A variety of IOL insertion devices and foldable and injectable IOLs were inserted through 3.0 or 3.5 mm keratome incisions made in cadaver eyes. The external and internal incision widths were then measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Each 3.0 mm incision was enlarged externally by 0.10 to 0.65 mm and internally by 0.50 to 0.75 mm by a variety of insertional devices and IOLs. One forceps-IOL combination required a 3.5 mm incision for lens insertion and resulted in a 0.4 mm enlargement of the internal incision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a 3.5 mm incision and insertion devices that do not enlarge an incision of this size might be desirable.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Mackool
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013537:Sutures