An auxiliary surgical field visualization system is described, which includes an auxiliary surgical field camera, configured for acquiring an image of a field of view of a secondary surgical field, wherein the secondary surgical field includes the exterior of a patient's eye undergoing vitreoretinal surgery. The auxiliary surgical field visualization system also includes a display in electronic communication with the auxiliary surgical field camera, wherein the display is configured for receiving, from the auxiliary surgical field camera, a signal that includes the image of the field of view of the secondary surgical field, and upon receiving the signal, displaying the image of the field of view of the secondary surgical field.