Single-Use Peeling Forceps Facilitate Vitreoretinal Surgery

The peeling forceps feature an asymmetric jaw design for excellent visualization of retinal membranes, together with a sleek, ergonomic handle. The forceps can be used for inner limiting membrane (ILM) procedures, epiretinal membrane peel, macular puckers, and cellophane maculopathy. The forceps are available in 23-gauge and 25-gauge options. The Storz Ophthalmics peeling forceps are a product of Bausch + Lomb Storz Ophthalmic Instruments (Aliso Viejo, CA, USA).

Epiretinal membrane is a disease of the eye in response to changes in the vitreous humor or more rarely, diabetes. Often this results in distortions of vision that are clearly visible as bowing and blurring when looking at lines on chart paper within the macular area, or central 1.0 degree of visual arc. Usually it occurs in one eye first, and the distortions create binocular diplopia or double vision. The underlying photoreceptor cells, rod cells and cone cells, are usually not damaged, unless the membrane becomes quite thick and hard; so usually there is no macular degeneration.

Vitreoretinal surgery is used to peel the membrane away; usually the vitreous is replaced at the same time with clear fluid, in a vitrectomy. Surgery is not usually recommended unless the distortions are severe enough to interfere with daily living, since there are the usual hazards of surgery, infections, and a possibility of retinal detachment.

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