We use IOL injectors to allow us to deliver an IOL with a 6 mm diameter optic through an incision that is less than 3 mm wide. Prior to that we used lens folding forceps to fold the optic in half and then place it via a 3.5 mm wide incision (half of the 6 mm optic = 3 mm plus the added thickness of the IOL and the forceps arms). And some IOLs now even come preloaded so that no manipulation of the IOL is needed with forceps, preventing issues such as scratches or impressions on the optic. You may not know that the intellectual property / patents concerning IOL injectors is tight and this is partially why one manufacturer’s design looks different than others. In this video, I am showing that for hydrophobic acrylic three-piece IOLs, you can easily substitute one injector for another. Here I am using the Alcon Monarch injector with the B cartridge to inject the J&J AR40E IOL instead of using the J&J butterfly design injector. As a surgeon, you certainly have the privilege of using the instruments and devices which you feel are best in that particular surgery and in your hands. Have you done something similar? Please comment below.
