Retinal Surgery

Retinal surgery involves the repair of a detached retina. The retina transmits signals or messages to the optic nerve and the brain or nervous system, thus completing the cycle of vision. Retinal detachment occurs when a separation takes place between the retina and the surface of the eye. Retinal surgery repairs this separation.

Retinal detachments take place as a result of holes or tears in the tissue. This generally occurs in the near-sighted or the elderly since the tissue of the eye tends to become weaker as time progresses. The weakness leads to a retinal tear, which eventually leads to the detachment of the retina. The retina then literally tears away from the surface of the eye, causing vision loss and eventually total blindness.

There are several different types of retinal detachment. “Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment” occurs when the tear allows liquid to flow into the eye through the hole caused by the retinal detachment. “Secondary retinal detachment” occurs when fluid forms under the retina without the presence of a hole or break. This usually happens as the result of an eye injury or some sort of inflammation. There’s also “tractional retinal detachment,” which involves a physical pulling of the retina from the surface of the eye.

What does retinal surgery involve?

There are several types of retinal surgery. “Scleral buckle surgery” involves the sewing of silicone bands to the outer region of the eyeball. The bands then force the wall of the eye against the hole caused by the detached retina and close it, allowing the retina to reattach using natural processes. The bands are usually left in place; however, recently it was determined that there was a possibility the band may cause the eye to become elongated or misshapen.

“Pneumatic retinopexy” is another type of eye surgery for detached retinas. This involves the usage of a gas or silicone bubble that’s literally blown into the eye. The bubble floats to the area in which the retina is detached and pressure is applied to the hole. The pressure or surface tension combined with the material of the gas bubble cause the hole to seal and the retina to reattach itself. This procedure is normally only used when the retina detachment is located in the upper portion of the eyeball.

There are a few other types of retinal surgery as well, each with its own sets of advantages and disadvantages. A medical professional should be consulted to determine which of the options is best for you.

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