Abstract: An eyelid retractor is provided for maintaining the eyelids of a patient in an open position during ocular surgery or the like. The retractor comprises a loop having a smooth surface with eyelid restraining blades positioned on opposite sides thereof. The retractor is sufficiently malleable to be inelastically deformed such that the blades are in a desired eyelid retracting configuration and the retractor loop is also bent to conform to the face of the patient such that the retractor is supported by the face. The retractor is face hugging so as to exhibit a low profile. The retractor is also sufficiently resilient to oppose movement of the eyelids when in the eyelid retracting configuration.