Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Implantation Protocol of the Foldable Capsular Vitreous Body for Complex Vitreoretinal Surgery
Published on: April 14, 2026
[Exposure to light during vitreoretinal surgery. II: Characteristics of endoilluminators]
1Schwerpunkt Retinologie, Universitäts-Augenklinik, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
Purpose:
Light can cause phototoxic retinal damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of retinal hazard by endoilluminators during vitreoretinal surgery.
Methods:
The spectra, radiance, and irradiance of six light sources with different associated fibre optics (20 G, 23 G, standard collimated, wide-angle diffuse) were measured and compared with thresholds published by international standardisation committees.
Results:
The spectra of the endoilluminators differed significantly in the short wavelength band. The maximum radiance ranged from 15 mW to 190 mW and the calculated irradiance from 36 mW/cm2 to 1,130 mW/cm2 (distance 5 mm) and from 9 mW/cm2 to 376 mW/cm2 (distance 10 mm). Compared with published thresholds for surgery, time limits ranging from 0.7 min to 264 min (distance 5 mm) and 2.7 min to 1,052 min (distance 10 mm) seem to be safe.
Conclusions:
Light systems used for vitreoretinal surgery differ considerably in spectra, radiance, and irradiance; these differences have an impact on the maximum tolerable exposure times during surgery.
