Retinal surgery
Retinal Eye Care
On the inside of the eyeball is the retina, which covers the rear portion of the eye. This is the area in which light rays fall and are interpreted by the brain into visual images.
There are a number of retinal disorders which can affect a patient’s vision including:
- Macular degeneration (age-related loss of central vision)
- Retinal detachment
- Tearing of the retina
- Uveitis (inflammation)
- Micro-vascular abnormalities that lead to bleeding
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Retinitis pigmentosa (poor night vision and narrowing of blood vessels)
- Other inherited retinal eye disorder
Some retinal disorders can be managed using topical solutions, but others need to be treated using advanced laser technologies or even surgery.
Retinal Detachment Surgery
A retinal detachment occurs when a tear forms in the retina allowing fluid to get under the retina forming a detachment. Retinal detachment surgery usually involves a scleral buckling and/or vitrectomy procedure.
Scleral buckling involves sewing a silicone band around the eye beneath the eye muscles to bring in the walls of the eye. This elongates the eye and makes you more nearsighted. It closes breaks and flattens the retina.
Vitrectomy involves making three holes in the eye and removing the jelly-like substance (the vitreous humor) that normally fills the eye. The retina is then reattached and all retinal tears surrounded by laser. The eye is then filled with an inert gas or silicone oil to keep the retina in position as it heals. The vitreous is eventually replaced by natural fluid produced inside the eye.
The surgical procedure is generally successful in reattaching the retina. Chances of good vision after the surgery vary, and are improved if the macula was still attached before the surgery.