A phacoemulsification needle sleeve 10 includes an elongated, resilient tubular body portion 18 having a distal end 20. An enlarged section 22 is formed on a proximal end of the body portion 18 for surrounding a hub of a needle 12. The distal end 20 is formed to abut a proximal end 24 of a flared end 14 of the needle 12. An outer diameter of the body portion 18 is essentially equal to an outer diameter of the flared end 14 so that the sleeve 10 is easily inserted through an incision 54 in a patient's eye.