Retinal biopsy techniques for the removal of retinal tissue fragments

Because retinal tissue normally excised during retinal reattachment repair is usually discarded, safe methods for the removal of retinal tissue from the eye were developed. Two methods are described for the removal of retinal tissue fragments otherwise discarded during vitrectomy for retinal detachment repair: (1) the removal of small oval pieces of retinal tissue associated with horseshoe retinal tears and (2) the removal of larger rectangular pieces of retinal tissue associated with relaxing retinotomies or giant retinal tears. These methods provide the retinal surgeon with some simple and safe methods for the extraction of retinal tissue fragments that would otherwise be discarded at the end of surgery.