One of the most delicate steps in macular surgery. The key? Break it down into individual movements, never rush into a single sweeping motion.
Here’s the 7-step pearl I follow every time:
1. Wrist supported, little finger on forehead
2. Position forceps precisely over the ILM
3. Pre-close ~80% - jaws ready, travel shortened
4. Push down - let the ILM bulge as a loop
5. Close the jaws
6. Lift the forceps
7. No purchase? Repeat from the top
The depth is everything - just enough to catch a loop of ILM without touching the nerve fibers running beneath that 2μ membrane.
