The use of a silicone strip over the sclerotomy in vitreous surgery.

We have developed a technique to prevent enlargement and distortion of the sclerotomy wound during vitreoretinal surgery. The technique involves the use of a silicone strip temporarily attached to the sclera. The strip and the sclera are pierced with a lance-tipped blade and surgery is done by entering through the silicone strip and then through the resulting scleral opening. Such a procedure prevents undesirable enlargement of the sclerotomy induced by trauma to the wound caused by instruments that can occur in cases of previously damaged sclera or in thin sclera associated with high myopia. It also prevents leaks through the wound as instruments are withdrawn.