1. Clinical Observations of the Single-Use Irrigation/Aspiration Tip
Preeya K. Gupta, MD
Terry Kim, MD
Duke Eye Center
Durham, NC
Financial Disclosures: TK—consultant for Alcon

2. Purpose
To assess the clinical performance and experience of the newly introduced single-use Intrepid® Polymer irrigation and aspiration (I/A) tip
Methods
Design: Retrospective review of a single surgeon experience during routine phacoemulsification

3. Intrepid® Polymer I/A tip
Specially designed for MICP (microincisional coaxial phacoemulsification), 1.8—2.4 mm incisions
Soft, smooth polymer tip
Disposable, single-use tip

4. Intrepid® Polymer I/A: 3 Tip Types
Straight Tip 35° Bent Tip 20° Curved Tip

5. Metal I/A: 3 Types of Tips
Straight Tip 45° Tip ° Tip

6. Metal/Silicone vs Intrepid® Polymer I/A tips
Metal tips may have sharp edges and tears in silicone tips and/or sleeves can increase the risk for posterior capsule damage/tear
Metal tips can stretch the wound
Intrepid® Polymer I/A tip easily fits through 1.8—2.4 mm corneal incisions and is capsule-friendly

7. Clinical Pearls for Using the Intrepid® Polymer Single-Use I/A tip
- May have to steepen the angle of the handpiece upon insertion/removal to avoid ‘catching’ the wound edge

8. Transitioning
Users of the 90° metal I/A tips may find it easier to transition to the 35° Intrepid® Polymer I/A tip
Users of the 45° and straight metal I/A tip should try either the 20° or 35° Intrepid® Polymer I/A tip
Straight ° Bent Tip 20° Curved
Straight ° °

9. Results
The new Intrepid® Polymer I/A tip is specifically designed for MICP and provides superior performance to the metal I/A tips and comparable performance to the silicone I/A tips
The transition to this tip is seamless with a short learning curve
The disposable, single-use nature of this new polymer tip has theoretical value in prevention or decrease in post-operative infections and toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS)

10. Conclusions
The Intrepid® Polymer single use I/A tip is a viable alternative to traditional I/A tips and may provide advantages over traditional metal I/A tips and silicone I/A tips.