Apparatuses and methods for transcleral cautery and subretinal drainage

An apparatus for use with an eye having a sclera, a choroid, and subretinal fluid, said apparatus comprising:

• a barrel section having a first wall configured to define a first interior volume and adapted to retain fluid therein;
• a needle section, extending from said barrel section, having a second wall defining a second interior volume and adapted to retain fluid therein, said needle section being in fluidic communication with said barrel section and being operative to retain the subretinal fluid of an eye that flows between said needle section and said barrel section when the subretinal fluid of the eye is drained into said needle section;
• and
• a scleral depressor section at least partially surrounding an intermediate portion of said needle section and adapted to engage and depress the sclera of the eye, said scleral depressor section being annular in shape and having a smooth exterior surface positioned to contact the sclera of the eye as said needle section engages the choroid of the eye, further comprising a cautery section of said needle section between said scleral depressor section and the distal end of said needle section, said cautery section being adapted to cauterize the choroid of the eye;
• and further comprising an energy supplying device configured to supply energy to said cautery section such that said cautery section is heated for cauterizing the choroid of the eye.