The present invention provides an improved
surgical blade and trocar
system for accessing the
retina and other parts of the eye while doing vitreo-
retinal and cataract surgeries, including surgeries for
macular degeneration. The
eye surgeon uses an improved
surgical blade for vitreo-
retinal and cataract surgeries having a generally flat, V-shaped, W-shaped, or “extended W” shaped cross-section. Using the improved
surgical blade, the surgeon creates a multi-planar, self-sealing
surgical wound, first by directing the surgical blade substantially perpendicular to the eye surface, then redirecting the blade to follow the general curvature of the eye globe, and finally redirecting the blade to enter the interior of the eye. The improved surgical blade is used with an improved trocar
system having two main parts-a relatively rigid, wide-mouthed outer segment and a generally thin-walled, collapsible
plastic polymer or
metal mesh sleeve that spans the
surgical wound and substantially molds to its contour. The improved surgical blade and trocar
system can be adapted for use in either vitreo-
retinal or cataract surgeries.