A device, providing enlargement and preventing collapse, of the pupil of the eye, during an ophthalmic surgical procedure. The device, configured as a continuous or discontinuous ring, comprises plurality of notches at corners and flanges at sides. The ring is formed from a strand of resiliently flexible material and is disposed entirely within a single plane. The notches engage the pupillary margin at different parts, pushing them apart, resulting in sustained enlargement of the pupil. In addition, the device causes bending of the pupillary margin and iris at the notches and above and below the flanges, resulting in a secure engagement. The enlarged pupil created by the ring, allows a wide view of the structures deeper to the pupillary plane, previously obscured due to a small pupil.
