An illuminated surgical retractor embodiment includes a blade, a handle, a curved section and an illumination assembly. The blade has a top surface and a bottom surface. The handle extends at an angle from a proximal end of the blade. The curved section connects the handle to the blade. The illumination assembly includes at least one light source, at least one battery and an activation device for energizing the light source. In an embodiment, the blade, handle, and curved section are molded from a glass-fiber reinforced polymer.