Instrument for extracting nucleus of eye lens during cataract surgery

A method for fragmenting the lens nucleus of an eye, the method comprising the procedures of:

• providing an ophthalmic surgical instrument comprising:
• an elongated handle portion;
• a tubular head portion, disposed at a distal end of the elongated handle portion;
• at least three prongs, each of the prongs comprising a cutting tip, the prongs selectively retractable into and deployable from the head portion;
• and
• a holding ring, configured to selectively contract and expand to adjust a deployment width of the prongs,
• inserting the instrument toward the eye lens through a corneal incision, while opening the head portion to deploy the prongs to slide over and grasp onto the lens nucleus at a posterior position thereof;
• and
• withdrawing the instrument toward the anterior of the eye lens, while closing the head portion to retract the prongs, such that the cutting tips of the prongs cut along the lens nucleus, so as to fragment the lens nucleus into multiple segments.