A revised technique for extracapsular lens extraction in the rabbit

The surgical procedure described here for extracapsular lens extraction utilizes a bent 25 gauge needle as an irrigating cystotome , a 100 degrees superior clear corneal incision, a single clean incision of the lens capsule, a muscle hook for expression of the nucleus, no cortical cleanup, and interrupted 9-0 nylon sutures to close the incision. We have found it a simple and effective technique which utilizes inexpensive instruments commonly available in an ophthalmology department or ophthalmic research laboratory.