DIAMOND-DUSTED SILICONE CANNULA FOR EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE SEPARATION DURING VITREOUS SURGERY

PURPOSE: To report a diamond dusted silicone cannula as a tool for mem brane separation during vitreous surgery, METHODS: A diamond dusted si licone cannula was fashioned from flexible silicone tubing with a beve led tip and coated with diamond fragments for use during vitreous surg ery, RESULTS: The instrument was used successfully in seven eyes with idiopathic macular hole and was found to be particularly useful for re moving residual vitreous cortex and epiretinal membranes from around t ile hole. It was also effective in removing ''immature membranes'' in three eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. CONCLUSION: The diamo nd-dusted silicone cannula is a useful tool for removing thin epiretin al membranes and vitreous cortex that may be difficult or nearly Impos sible to remove safely using other techniques.