Iris retraction by suture during cryoextraction

IRIS retraction in round pupil cataract cryooextraction by a surgeon, operating without the aid of another surgeon, can present problems such as iris adhesions to the cryoextractor. The delivery can be facilitated by the use of a 6-0 black silk suture threaded through a peripheral iridectomy at the 12 o'clock position and used for retraction. Iris retraction with a suture has been described before, 1 but apparently has not been popularized. This method is particularly useful during cryoextraction. The corneal flap is lifted by the nurse assistant with a preplaced or postplaced suture. The surgeon grasps the iris adjacent to the peripheral iridectomy with iris forceps, and the needle and silk are threaded through the iridectomy entering at the posterior border of the iris and exiting from the anterior border (Fig 1). Traction on the suture is applied by the surgeon with one hand (Fig 2) while the cryoextractor is