Retinal Detachment Treatment and Surgery

The laser therapy or the cryotherapy are usually used to wall off a small portion of retinal detachment, so that the detachment does not spread further. The factors that decide which therapy is to be used include the type and location of defects and whether bleeding or pulling on retina is involved.  The following types of surgery are conducted for the Treatment of  Retinal Detachment:

• Scleral buckling

While conducting scleral buckle surgery, the surgeon initially seals the hole using laser therapy or cryotherapy. He then sews a silicone buckle to the Sclera (the white outer coat of the eyeball). This buckle pushes the outer Scleral wall of the towards the hole,  thus compressing it and reducing the flow of the vitreous gel, enabling the retina to re – attach.

• Pneumatic Retinopexy

Quite like the Scleral buckling, the surgeon uses laser therapy or cryotherapy to seal the hole. To push the detached retina against the Sclera, the surgeon, injects a gas bubble. The gas bubble initially expands and then disappears.

Pneumatic Retinopexy is often found impractical by surgeons because retinal holes or detachments that occur in the lower part of the eye cannot be treated using this method.

• Vitrectomy:

Vitrectomy is used in cases of severe complication or retinal detachment that occur either due to an abnormal growth of a blood vessel on the retina or in the vitreous. The process involves the removal of the vitreous gel and is usually combined with filling the eye with either a gas bubble or silicon oil. This form of Retinal Detachment Treatment and Surgery may also be used in cases of giant retinal tears.