Safe method for cleaning the posterior lens capsule

Cleaning the posterior capsule is an important step in cataract microsurgery to prevent early postoperative visual impairment. A simple method for cleaning posterior lens capsule opacities during extracapsular cataract extraction is described. A straight 20-gauge cannula with a 0.3 mm anterior aspiration port, attached to a syringe with the piston removed, allows safe polishing in a deep anterior chamber. The described procedure has been safely performed in more than 300 operations.