(Designed by Dr. NODA)
A new type of circumferential scleral depressor has been developed
During vitrectomy, there are times when a two-handed technique is performed. When performing procedures on the peripheral retina, I have an assistant apply scleral compression; however, with conventional scleral depressors, it was sometimes difficult to maintain stable scleral compression.
Therefore, I considered whether it would be possible to create a device that would allow the assistant to apply scleral compression more stably, and I devised a scleral depressor with an arc shape that applies pressure to the sclera in a circumferential direction. Using this scleral depressor provided the following main advantages:

1. Because the assistant’s scleral compression was stable, we were able to safely perform proliferative membrane treatment using a two-handed technique.
2. Because the assistant’s scleral compression was stable, it was possible to perform peripheral vitrectomy using only a light and a cutter under wide-angle observation, without the need for a chandelier light.
3. Even when the surgeon performs scleral compression under a chandelier light, it is now possible to perform wide-angle scleral compression with fewer compressions.
The use of this newly devised scleral depressor has made extensive and stable scleral compression possible.