A surgical device for cutting a lens within a capsular bag of an eye, the device comprising: a shaft having a lumen extending along a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and an opening from the lumen; a sectioning element having a first leg and a second leg, the sectioning element movable relative to the shaft from a first, insertion configuration toward a second, capture configuration; wherein at least a portion of the sectioning element is positioned within the lumen when the sectioning element is in the first, insertion configuration; and wherein both the sectioning element in the first, insertion configuration and the distal end of the shaft are sized for insertion into an anterior chamber of the eye through an incision; wherein transition of the sectioning element towards the second, capture configuration permits advancement of the sectioning element between the capsular bag and the lens while the lens remains in the capsular bag to capture a portion of the lens within the open area; and an actuator operatively coupled to the sectioning element, the actuator configured to tension the sectioning element to reduce the open area and cut the lens; characterised in that the second, capture configuration of the sectioning element approximates a loop comprising an open area, wherein the first leg and the second leg of the sectioning element are in proximity with one another forming a merging point at the distal end of the shaft, and wherein a first portion of the open area is distal to the opening, and a second portion of the open area is proximal to the opening. a shaft having a lumen extending along a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and an opening from the lumen; a sectioning element having a first leg and a second leg, the sectioning element movable relative to the shaft from a first, insertion configuration toward a second, capture configuration; wherein at least a portion of the sectioning element is positioned within the lumen when the sectioning element is in the first, insertion configuration; and wherein both the sectioning element in the first, insertion configuration and the distal end of the shaft are sized for insertion into an anterior chamber of the eye through an incision; wherein transition of the sectioning element towards the second, capture configuration permits advancement of the sectioning element between the capsular bag and the lens while the lens remains in the capsular bag to capture a portion of the lens within the open area; and wherein at least a portion of the sectioning element is positioned within the lumen when the sectioning element is in the first, insertion configuration; and wherein both the sectioning element in the first, insertion configuration and the distal end of the shaft are sized for insertion into an anterior chamber of the eye through an incision; wherein transition of the sectioning element towards the second, capture configuration permits advancement of the sectioning element between the capsular bag and the lens while the lens remains in the capsular bag to capture a portion of the lens within the open area; and an actuator operatively coupled to the sectioning element, the actuator configured to tension the sectioning element to reduce the open area and cut the lens; characterised in that the second, capture configuration of the sectioning element approximates a loop comprising an open area, wherein the first leg and the second leg of the sectioning element are in proximity with one another forming a merging point at the distal end of the shaft, and wherein a first portion of the open area is distal to the opening, and a second portion of the open area is proximal to the opening.