A surgical access system for providing access to a surgical site in a patient includes a surgical access device defining a working channel for accessing a surgical site and an integrated light emitter for illuminating the surgical site. The light emitter is integrated in proximity to a distal end of the surgical access device. In some embodiments, the light emitter is offset from the distal end. In certain embodiments, the integrated light emitter includes a light transmission medium for transmitting light from a proximal end of the access device to the distal end.
