RI-000032 A type of surgical tool called a Desmarres retractor is used in ophthalmic procedures to hold back the eyelids and allow for greater view and access to the eye. The French ophthalmologist Dr. Eugène Desmarres, who invented the use of these retractors in the 19th century, is honoured by having his name associated with them. These retractors typically consist of high-quality stainless steel and have a handle on one end and a curved, spoon-shaped blade on the other. The blade is made to gently pull back the eyelids, allowing the surgeon to operate more precisely and accurately.