An illumination system for a surgical device is provided. The illumination system includes a tubular body made of a light permeable material and having at least one lumen extending between a distal end and a proximal end. The illumination system further includes a light source. At least one light diffusing optical fiber is disposed in the at least one lumen, the at least one light diffusing optical fiber having a core, primary cladding, and a plurality of nano-sized structures, the optical fiber further including an outer surface, and an end optically coupled to the light source. The fiber is configured to scatter guided light via the nano-sized structures away from the core and through the outer surface, to form a light-source fiber portion having a length that emits substantially uniform radiation over its length.