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Fourth sclerotomy allows general illumination of vitreous cavity
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Use of an externally fixated light source through a fourth sclerotomy can provide general illumination of the vitreous cavity, allowing bimanual manipulation of intraocular tissues, according to a recent publication.
J.C. Schmidt and colleagues in Germany reported on their use of this technique in 50 eyes of patients with severe preretinal membrane formation. The surgeons used a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope viewing system during all vitrectomies and a bullet light pipe for illumination. This innovation eliminates the need for more expensive light sources such as a multiport illumination system, the authors noted. The light source generated homogeneous illumination of the entire vitreous cavity, they said.
The use of bimanual manipulation allowed the surgeons to perform safe and sufficient removal of adherent preretinal membranes more quickly, they reported. No case required retinectomy.
The study is published in the October issue of Spektrum der Augenheilkunde.