incision into the anterior chamber of the eye is made at or near the corneal limbus where the cornea and sclera meet. Advantages of the smaller incision include use of few or no stitches and shortened recovery time. The "small" incision is small in comparison with the earlier ECCE incision, but considerably larger than the phaco incision. The precise geometry of the incision is important as it affects the self-sealing of the wound and can cause astigmatism by distortion of the cornea during healing. A sclerocorneal or scleral tunnel incision is commonly used, which reduces induced astigmatism if suitably formed. A capsulotomy, also known as a cystotomy, is made to open the surface of the lens capsule, using an instrument called a cystotome. The continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis technique is in common use. An anterior capsulotomy refers to the opening of the front portion of the lens capsule, whereas a posterior capsulotomy refers to the opening of the back portion of the lens capsule. This gives the surgeon access to the lens inside. Manual removal of the cataract lens from the capsule. Following cataract removal, an intraocular lens is usually inserted into the posterior capsule. When the posterior capsule is damaged, the IOL may be inserted into the ciliary sulcus, or a glued intraocular lens technique may be applied. After the IOL is inserted, the ophthalmic viscosurgery device is aspirated and replaced with BSS and the wound closed. The surgeon checks that the incision does not leak fluid, since wound leakage increases the risk of microorganisms gaining access into the eye and predisposing it to endophthalmitis. An antibiotic/steroid combination eye drop is put in and an eye shield may be applied, sometimes supplemented with an eye patch. Antibiotics may be administered pre-operatively, intra-operatively, and/or post-operatively. Frequently a topical corticosteroid or NSAID is used in combination with topical antibiotics post-operatively. Most cataract operations are performed under a local anaesthetic, allowing the patient to go home the same day. The use of an eye patch may be indicated, usually for some hours and while sleeping, after which the patient is instructed to use anti-inflammatory eyedrops to control inflammation and antibiotic eyedrops to prevent infection. Lens and cataract procedures are commonly performed in an outpatient setting; in the United States, 99.9% of lens and cataract procedures were done in an ambulatory setting in 2012. Occasionally, a peripheral iridectomy may be performed to minimize the