Vitreoretinal surgery and innovation are synonymous. Performing surgery in the posterior segment of the eye presents a variety of challenges not limited to treatment planning, optimizing the techniques and technology that we have at our disposal, and doing our best to minimize the iatrogenic effects that our efforts can have on patients. Thus, as our understanding of pathology increases and the technologies that we use to address this pathology improve, our patients and the community of retina specialists as a whole benefit.

We have come a long way from open-sky vitrectomy procedures. Smaller incisions, uniform access through these incisions to the back of the eye via cannulae, and improved illumination represent some of the advancements that have been made. More recently, self-sealing microincisional surgery with brighter illumination has continued to improve comfort and the speed of recovery for our patients. Additionally, techniques and visualization methods for membrane peeling have been introduced. Our laser photocoagulation technology has also improved, allowing flexibility in the strength of the light source that we deliver to the retina and the speed at which we can perform these procedures.

SURGICAL VIDEOS NOW POSTED ON EYETUBE.NET
This issue of Retina Today is focused on surgery. We have included articles on topics including smallgauge wound construction and surgery, trocar systems, staining techniques for membrane peeling, laser photocoagulation, interface vitrectomy, and pneumatic retinopexy. Several articles in the issue have accompanying videos now posted on Eyetube.net, produced by the publishers of Retina Today. The Retina Channel on Eyetube.net offers high-quality educational content for the ophthalmic community. If you have not already logged on for free registration and perused the site, we highly recommend that you do.