A new, non-contact wide field viewing system for vitreous surgery.

PURPOSE

To report a new, noncontact wide field viewing system for vitreoretinal surgery.

DESIGN

Device description: A noncontact wide field viewing system consisting of adjustable hinged arm and a combined condensing lens and reinverting prism has been developed. The arm clamps onto the operating table or wrist rest and holds the lens system in the air above the eye.

METHODS

For vitreoretinal surgery, a new, relatively inexpensive noncontact wide field viewing system consisting of an adjustable hinged arm and a combined condensing lens and reinverting prism has been developed. The combination condensing lens and reinverting prism is used without a microscope-mounted inverter. The optical component may be sterilized with ethylene oxide, peracetic acid, or glutaraldehyde. Other components may be steam autoclaved.

RESULTS

The new, noncontact wide field viewing system has been used satisfactorily in more than 200 vitrectomies at seven medical centers. It provides an excellent view of the vitreous and retina.

CONCLUSION

A new, noncontact wide field viewing system for vitreoretinal surgery has been developed with satisfactory image quality and a field of view comparable to contemporary noncontact panoramic viewing systems.