Irrigating iris retractor for complicated cataract surgery.

We describe an irrigating iris retractor for cataract surgery in eyes with small pupils. The retractor, a modified irrigating handpiece, has 2 standard side-port irrigating openings and a smooth, button-like iris hook in the front. The hook is inserted into the margin of a small pupil and retracts the pupil peripherally to allow visualization of cortical remnants in the equatorial area of the lens capsule. The capsule can then be safely cleaned using the aspirating handpiece in the surgeon's other hand.