Scleral Depressor Types: Schocket, Josephberg Besser, Schepens and More
Instrument guides
Scleral Depressor Types: Schocket, Josephberg Besser, Schepens and More
The main scleral depressor designs, how they differ in grip and tip, and how to choose one for examination or retinal surgery.
A scleral depressor is a small instrument used to press gently on the sclera through the eyelid so the examiner or surgeon can see the far periphery of the retina. The designs differ mainly in how they are held and in the shape of the tip. Thimble designs such as the Schepens are worn on a finger, hand held designs such as the Schocket and the O'Connor pair a depressor end with a marking end, and the Josephberg Besser adds a curved tip shaped to fit the globe. Choose by the grip the examiner prefers and by whether one tip shape or two is needed.
What is a scleral depressor and when is it used?
Pressing on the sclera brings the peripheral retina into view during indirect ophthalmoscopy and during retinal surgery. The depressor tip has to be smooth and rounded so it can move across the lid without catching. Every depressor we make is surgical grade stainless steel, hand finished in Sialkot, with a smooth tip and no sharp edges.
What are the main scleral depressor designs?
- Thimble: a depressor tip mounted on a thimble that fits over a fingertip. The Schepens is the classic thimble pattern.
- Hand held double ended: a flat handle with a depressor end at one end and a marking end at the other. The Schocket and the O'Connor are double ended hand held patterns.
- Curved tip: the Josephberg Besser has a curved blade that its designers describe as shaped to conform to the globe. It is made double ended and single ended.
- Combination: the Flynn pairs a lens loop with a depressor end, so one instrument manages the contact lens and depresses the sclera.
Scleral depressor design comparison
| Pattern | Grip | Ends | Tip | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schocket | Held in the hand | Double ended, 13.5cm, pocket clip | Rounded depressor end 2.5mm wide, curved marking end 6.0mm wide | You want to depress and mark with one instrument |
| Josephberg Besser, double ended | Held in the hand | Double ended | A curved tip at one end | You like the Schocket layout but want one end shaped to the globe |
| Josephberg Besser, single ended | Held in the hand | Single ended, 10.5cm | One curved tip | You want only the curved tip, on a simple handle |
| Schepens | Thimble on a finger | Single | Shaped tip on a thimble, in small 8mm, medium 10mm and large 12mm sizes | The examiner prefers to keep the depressing hand free of a handle |
| O'Connor | Held in the hand | Double ended, 14cm | Teardrop depressor end 3mm wide, Gass marking end 1.5mm | You want a finer marking end |
| Flynn | Held in the hand | Lens loop and depressor, 8.25cm | Depressor end plus a lens loop | A contact lens is handled during the same procedure |
Lengths and tip widths are taken from our own product listings.
How do the Schocket and the Josephberg Besser differ?
Both double ended versions are hand held instruments with a tip at each end. In the words of its designers, Robert Josephberg and Eduardo Besser, the double tip Josephberg Besser is similar to a Schocket except for the patented curved tip on one end, and the single tip version is similar to the thimble type Schepens. Their description of the new scleral depressor in Retina Today also reports that first year residents found it less intimidating than a standard Schocket or Schepens. That is the designers' own report, not an independent trial.
Independent comfort data does not exist yet. A University of Alberta study comparing the Schocket, the Josephberg Besser and a cotton tip applicator, with patient pain as its primary outcome, is registered in the US National Library of Medicine trial registry and was not yet recruiting when we read the record in October 2026. Until it reports, the choice between the two is a matter of the examiner's preference.
When is a thimble style Schepens the better choice?
A thimble keeps the depressor on the fingertip, so the examiner presses with the finger itself rather than through a handle. Examiners who like that direct feel choose a thimble. Those who want to depress and mark with one instrument choose a double ended hand held design.
What does a combined lens loop and depressor do?
The Flynn combines a lens loop with a depressor end on one instrument. During a retinal procedure that uses a contact lens, the surgeon can position the lens and depress the sclera without putting one instrument down to pick up another.
How should a scleral depressor be cleaned between patients?
Rinse and clean it as soon as it has been used, then autoclave it. Our depressors are fully autoclavable and made for repeated use. Before each use, inspect the tip: it must be smooth, with no burr or scratch. Use a neutral pH detergent and never saline or abrasive cleaners. Our instrument care guide covers cleaning, autoclaving and storage step by step.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a single ended and a double ended scleral depressor?
A single ended depressor has one tip. A double ended instrument has something useful at each end: on the Schocket and the O'Connor that is a depressor end and a marking end, and on the Flynn a depressor and a lens loop. The examiner turns the instrument around instead of changing it.
Is a Schocket depressor a thimble?
No. The Schocket is a double ended hand held instrument with a rounded depressor end and a curved marking end. The Schepens is the thimble design.
Can a scleral depressor be sterilized in an autoclave?
Ours can. They are surgical grade stainless steel and fully autoclavable. Clean them before each cycle and check the tip afterwards.
Which scleral depressor suits an examiner new to the technique?
There is no independent evidence yet that one design is easier to learn. The Josephberg Besser designers report that residents found their curved tip less intimidating, and the study registered to compare patient comfort has not started.
Compare the designs side by side
Open the depressor range to see every pattern we make, then order the one that fits the way you examine. For a mixed set for a clinic or a training program, send us your list and we will send you a quote.