Incision Sizes

When we do cataract surgery, there are typically two or three small incisions that we make in the eyeball to access the cataract, which is inside the eyeball.

The largest incision, often called the main incision, can be a variety of different sizes, usually around 2-3 millimeters wide. There are a lot of opinions on which size is best: 1.8mm, 2.4mm, 2.8mm, or 3.0mm? Or some other size?

Even though I’ve heard a lot of these discussions, I’ve never really heard any evidence that one size is best. I think it is mostly what the surgeon feels most comfortable doing. I personally am currently using a 2.4mm incision, so that’s best for me!