New silicone tipped cannulas for subretinal fluid drainage.

Abstract

Two new disposable cannulas for internal drainage of subretinal fluid are described in this article. We describe a curved and a straight version consisting of plastic hubs, 20 gauge proximal and 25 gauge distal stainless steel hypodermic tubing, and soft and flexible silicone tubing overmounts. Both these cannulas facilitate atraumatic drainage of subretinal fluid through pre-existing retinal holes and tears or through a retinotomy performed during vitreoretinal microsurgery.