Clear corneal incisions have become the default entry point for routine phacoemulsification due to their simplicity, rapid healing and low induced astigmatism in healthy eyes.
However, they rely heavily on the structural and optical integrity of the cornea.
When the cornea is thinned, scarred, unstable or otherwise fragile, creating a standard corneal incision can compromise safety and hinder postoperative recovery. For this reason, the scleral tunnel incision remains a useful technique, offering structural advantages in eyes in which a corneal approach could worsen existing pathology.
Eyes with