Self-illuminated contact lens for peripheral vitreous surgery

A modified self-retaining plano-concave contact lens for visualization of the ora serrata and anterior vitreous during vitreous surgery is described. A groove to hold a light pipe is made in the standard self-retaining, plano-concave, one-piece acrylic lens with footplates. A drop of viscoelastic material between the lens and the cornea holds the lens in place by suction. The groove (1 mm in depth and diameter) supports the tip of the endoillumination probe held by an assistant. This illuminates the area while the surgeon indents the sclera with the free hand, facilitating quick and well-controlled vitreous base dissection. This system offers a simple, effective, and quick method for illumination of the ora serrata and anterior vitreous in aphakic and pseudophakic eyes during vitrectomy.