The Esposito Erisophake and Cataract Extraction.

IN 1953 I described an erisophake (Esposito, 1953), which I had devised in 1950, and which I had been, and have been, using since that time in cataract surgery. Since the original article appeared, this instrument has been used successfully and extensively by many ophthalmologists as noted by many writers, including Hope-Robertson (1954) and Givnor (1953). Of interest has been the attempted modification of this erisophake by other surgeons. This modification has been found to fail in one important respect: the Esposito erisophake develops just enough negative pressure to hold the capsule of the cataractous lens securely for the extraction, but cannot develop an excessive negative pressure as do some of the other instruments. Excessive pressure often breaks the capsule and even aspirates vitreous, and this may deter the operator from the use of the erisophake in cataract extractions. In the present series of over 600 cataract extractions, this erisophake (Figure) remains for me, as for many surgeons, the instrument of choice, and an attempt has been made to simplify the intracapsular round-pupil cataract extraction procedure, especially for the lone operator.