A variable-rigidity, small-gauge illuminator is disclosed, one embodimentbeing a small-gauge illumination surgical system comprising: a light source(12) for providing a light beam； an optical cable (14), optically coupled to thelight source for receiving and transmitting the light beam, a handpiece (10),operably coupled to the optical cable； an optical fiber (22), operably coupledto the handpiece, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled to the opticalcable to receive and transmit the light beam to illuminate an area； and a cannula(16), operably coupled to the handpiece, for housing and directing the opticalfiber, wherein the cannula is operable to extend and retract from the handpieceto vary the length of the cannula extending from the handpiece, and wherein theoptical fiber is operably connected to the cannula such that the distal end ofthe optical fiber and the distal end of the cannula remain co-incident as the lengthof the cannula extending from the handpiece is varied. The optical fiber, thecannula and the handpiece can be fabricated from biocompatible materials.
