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 invo lves the use of a silicone strip temporarily attached to the sclera. T he strip and the sclera are pierced with a lance-tipped blade and surg ery is done by entering through the silicone strip and then through th e resulting scleral opening. Such a procedure prevents undesirable enl argement of the sclerotomy induced by trauma to the wound caused by in struments that can occur in cases of previously damaged sclera or in t hin sclera associated with high myopia. It also prevents leaks through the wound as instruments are withdrawn.