Apparatus (100) for the removal of lens tissue is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first instrument (102) including an unsleeved vibrated needle (104) for inserting into a lens capsule and removing a cataract (108) therein, the first instrument (102) including a lumen (112) therethrough for aspiration of both emulsified cataract tissue and irrigation fluid from said lens capsule. It further comprises a second instrument (130) comprising a tool tip (134), attached to a shaft (132) for inserting through an incision into the lens capsule and manipulating the cataract (108) as the cataract is being removed. The second instrument (130) has a plurality of irrigation ports (136, 138, 140) for introducing the irrigation fluid into said lens capsule. The needle (104) has a diameter for an incision of from 0.8 mm to 2.5 mm, and the shaft has a longitudinal axis and said tool tip (134) extends transverse of the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
