A mounting clip is provided for releasably securing a light carrier to a surgical cannula. The clip includes a resilient, axially split sleeve having an opposing pair of split edges that extend between opposing circumferential ends of the sleeve. The sleeve carries a retaining bracket for securing a light carrier to the sleeve. The sleeve is resiliently compressed and inserted into a surgical cannula such that a light carrier held by the retaining bracket of the sleeve illuminates the interior of the cannula and a surgical site in which the cannula is being used.