Desmarres Lid Retractor
Also known as: Desmarres Retractor, Desmarres Vein Retractor, Desmarres Valve Retractor
Curved hand-held lid retractor named after ophthalmologist Louis-Auguste Desmarres, used to lift and evert the eyelid; larger versions serve elsewhere.
Reusable hand instrument
About the Desmarres Lid Retractor
The Desmarres retractor is a hand-held retractor with a smooth, curved, saddle-shaped blade. In ophthalmology it is used to hold or evert the eyelid, for example to turn out the upper lid. The user holds it in one hand, unlike a self-retaining lid speculum.
Wikipedia notes that the French ophthalmologist Louis-Auguste Desmarres (1810-1882) has several instruments named after him, including the Desmarres curved lid retractor.
Ophthalmic versions come in a numbered size range, with single-use sterile versions also on the market. Larger Desmarres-pattern retractors, including insulated and double-ended types (sometimes called vein or valve retractors), are listed in general and plastic surgery catalogues for retracting small wound edges and vessels.
Product reference: Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments — official product page. The listed company is shown as a source; check the catalogue for its role as manufacturer or supplier.
Common uses
- Eyelid eversion and retraction in eye examination and surgery
- Oculoplastic procedures
- Retraction of small wound edges or vessels (larger versions)
Variations, sizes & configurations
Shapes
- Curved
Jaw, tip & blade configurations
- Delicate
- Smooth
Lengths
- 14.5cm
- 15cm
- 16cm
Specifications vary by manufacturer. Confirm exact dimensions and patterns in the manufacturer’s catalogue.
Catalogue specifications (Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments)
- Desmarres Double Ended Retractor Insulated, 15cm, 8/10mm wide blades
- Desmarres Retractor 16cm, Insulated 18mm Blade
- Desmarres Retractor 16cm, Insulated 16mm Blade
- Desmarres Retractor 16cm, Insulated 14mm Blade
- Desmarres Retractor 14.5cm 17mm Insulated Blade
- Desmarres Retractor 14.5cm, 14mm Insulated Blade
- Desmarres Retractor 16cm, 12mm Insulated Blade
- Desmarres Double Ended Retractor 15cm, 8/10mm blades
As published in the brand’s online catalogue. View official product ↗
Catalogue listings from manufacturers
| Brand | Catalogue item | Model no. | Size / length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor Instruments | Desmarres Lid Retractor (RI-00608) | RI-00608 | Official site ↗ | |
| Rigor Instruments | Desmarres Lid Retractor (RI-00609) | RI-00609 | Official site ↗ | |
| Rigor Instruments | Desmarres Lid Retractor (RI-00610) | RI-00610 | Official site ↗ | |
| Rigor Instruments | Desmarres Lid Retractor (RI-00611) | RI-00611 | Official site ↗ | |
| Rigor Instruments | Desmarres Lid Retractor (RI-S-2873) | RI-S-2873 | Official site ↗ | |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Desmarres Lid Retractors | ASSI.AG148811 | 14.5cm · 12mm Wide, Size 1 | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Desmarres Lid Retractors | ASSI.AG148814 | 14.5cm · 14mm Wide, Size 2, 12mm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Desmarres Lid Retractors | ASSI.AG148817 | 14.5cm · 17mm Wide, Size 3, 12mm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Desmarres Lid Retractors | ASSI.AG183612 | 14.5cm · 12mm Wide, Size 1 | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Desmarres Lid Retractors | ASSI.AG183714 | 14.5cm · 14mm Wide, Size 2, 12mm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Desmarres Lid Retractors | ASSI.AG184017 | 15cm · 17mm Wide, Size 3, 12mm | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar Black™ Laser Desmarres Lid Retractor – Large, 18mm | 90-1035 | straight | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar Black™ Laser Desmarres Lid Retractor – Medium, 16mm | 90-1036 | straight | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar Black™ Laser Desmarres Lid Retractor – Small, 12mm | 90-1038 | straight | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Desmarres Lid Retractor – | 65-1847 | 5-1/2" / 140 mm · straight, smooth | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Desmarres Lid Retractor – 6-1/2, 10mm | 65-1840 | 6-1/2" / 165 mm · straight, 1 blade blunt (saddle surface) | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Desmarres Lid Retractor – 6-1/2, 8mm | 65-1839 | 6-1/2" / 165 mm · straight, 1 blade blunt (saddle surface) | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Desmarres Lid Retractor – 6-1/4, 12mm | 65-1841 | straight, 1 blade blunt (saddle surface) | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Desmarres Lid Retractor – 6-1/4, 14mm | 65-1842 | 6-1/4" / 159 mm · straight, 1 blade blunt (saddle surface) | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Desmarres Lid Retractor – 6-1/4, 16mm | 65-1843 | 6-1/4" / 159 mm · straight, 1 blade blunt (saddle surface) | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Desmarres Lid Retractor – 6-1/4, 18mm | 65-1844 | straight, 1 blade blunt (saddle surface) | Official site ↗ |
21 items listed in manufacturers’ own online catalogues, with sizes and model numbers as published. Check the exact item on the manufacturer’s page before ordering.
Companies offering this instrument
Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments
Westbury, United States
New York supplier of surgical instruments for many specialties, with offices on both US coasts.
Shown only where the company’s own catalogue or website lists this instrument.
Further reading
- How to Read a Surgical Instrument CataloguePatterns, lengths, tips, locks, materials and finishes: the catalogue terms buyers need to compare instrument offers like for…
- Stainless Steel Grades and Finishes for Surgical InstrumentsMartensitic vs austenitic steel, ISO 7153-1 and ASTM F899, tungsten carbide inserts, titanium, and satin vs mirror finishes…
- How Surgical Instruments Are Made: From Forging to PassivationA step-by-step look at how reusable surgical instruments are made: steel choice, forging, machining, heat treatment, grinding, polishing…
Questions about the Desmarres Lid Retractor
What is a Desmarres Lid Retractor used for?
Curved hand-held lid retractor named after ophthalmologist Louis-Auguste Desmarres, used to lift and evert the eyelid; larger versions serve elsewhere.
What other names is the Desmarres Lid Retractor known by?
The Desmarres Lid Retractor is also known as Desmarres Retractor, Desmarres Vein Retractor, Desmarres Valve Retractor.
What lengths and sizes is the Desmarres Lid Retractor listed in?
Lengths recorded from the sources for this guide: 14.5 cm, 15 cm and 16 cm. Ranges differ between manufacturers, so confirm the exact size in the catalogue you order from.
Which configurations of the Desmarres Lid Retractor are documented?
This guide records these variations, shapes: Curved; jaw, tip or blade: Delicate and Smooth. See variations, sizes & configurations for the full list.
Where can I find catalogue listings for the Desmarres Lid Retractor?
21 items matching this pattern are listed from manufacturers’ own online catalogues: Sklar Surgical Instruments (10), Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (6) and Rigor Instruments (5). The catalogue table gives each model number and size as published, with a link to the official product page.
Which companies offer the Desmarres Lid Retractor?
Companies whose own catalogues list the Desmarres Lid Retractor include Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments. Check the exact pattern and size with the company.
Which instruments are related to the Desmarres Lid Retractor?
Other retractors in this directory include Gelpi Retractor, Hohmann Retractor, Richardson-Eastman Retractor and Surgical Retractors. See all retractors.
What should I check when sourcing retractors?
- Pattern and size: compare the blade or prong size and depth and the handle style with the supplier’s catalogue drawing or a sample. For the Desmarres Lid Retractor this page records lengths of 14.5 cm, 15 cm and 16 cm, Curved shapes and Delicate and Smooth tips.
- Material: confirm the exact steel grade or alloy in the supplier’s documentation, such as the material specification or certificate.
- Finish and any coating, as stated by the supplier.
- Regulatory marking or registration required in your target market (see medical device certifications).
- Reprocessing: the cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation instructions in the manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU).
Sources
- accuratesurgical.com/retractors/desmarres-retractors-8/
- accuratesurgical.com/retractors/desmarres-retractors-7/
- accuratesurgical.com/retractors/desmarres-retractors-6/
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis-Auguste_Desmarres
- de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lidsperrer
- accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/00192896012417
- accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/00190776055707
- corzaeye.com/en-us/products/ae-1232-desmarres-lid-retr-size-1
- sklarcorp.com/p/econo-sterile-desmarres-lid-retractor-5-1-4-11mm-blade-disposable-cs-10/96-3980
Last checked 29 Oct 2026. Information is general reference, not clinical guidance.
Suggest a correction if any detail on this page is wrong.
Related instruments
Gelpi Retractor
Self-retaining retractor with two pointed hooked arms and a ratchet lock, the Gelpi pattern, used to hold small or shallow incisions open.
Hohmann Retractor
Orthopaedic bone lever with a narrow tip, used to lever soft tissue away and expose bone during orthopaedic surgery.
Richardson-Eastman Retractor
Double-ended hand-held abdominal retractor (Richardson-Eastman pattern) with a different-sized blade at each end, used to retract deep abdominal incisions.
Surgical Retractors
Instruments that hold back wound edges, organs and tissue so the surgeon can see and reach the operative site; hand-held or self-retaining.