![]() ![]() Patients will also report a scratchy and itchy sensation that is a result of the stitches used to close the outside of the eye. Patients should expect vision to be blurry following surgery in some cases this may last for weeks. The operated eye may experience watering for several weeks so a patch may be preferred. Patients that undergo scleral buckle surgery typically experience redness and slight soreness in their eye for about a month or two. What to expect after scleral buckle surgery Regrettably, even when the macula remains attached and the retina is successfully reattached, some vision can be lost. In this instance, it may take several months before the best vision is achieved. If the macula was detached at any time during the retinal detachment, vision rarely returns to normal, however it can improve. Usually, the status of the macula (central portion of the retina) during the retinal detachment will be the best predictor of restoring good vision. Unfortunately, good vision does not automatically follow a successful retinal reattachment. Additional operations can improve the success rate to over 90%. Success rates for reattaching a retina are generally better than 80% when only one operation is required. After the surgery has been completed, the patient will then be positioned such that the gas bubble rises to push the retinal tear against the scleral buckle to help ensure the tear remains closed and heals. In other cases, the surgeon may inject a gas bubble directly into the vitreous cavity. The surgeon may also make a small opening in the outer wall of the eye to allow fluid to drain from behind the retina, thus improving the chances of the retina reattaching successfully. ![]() By doing so, this reduces the pulling effect that the vitreous (fluid portion of the eye) may be placing upon the retina. In some cases, the retinal surgeon may place a silicon band around the entire circumference of the eye. There are a variety of options that surgeons may use based upon the specific condition of the retinal detachment once it is observed from within the eye. The silicone buckle is left permanently in place after the surgery. The scarring from the cryoprobe seals the retinal tear. A piece of silicon plastic is then sewn onto the outside of the eye in this same area, thus causing the eye to buckle (hence the name of the surgery) inward and holding the retina against the treated area. The freezing action of the cryoprobe causes scarring to occur. The surgeon places a cryoprobe on the outside of the eye, and then, using a special instrument to look into the eye, the surgeon correctly places the cryoprobe in the vicinity of the retinal tear. The first step in this procedure is treatment of the retinal tear by use of cryotherapy, or freezing. Scleral Buckling SurgeryĬonsidered the traditional surgery for retinal detachments, scleral buckling is performed using local, and in some cases, general anesthesia. There are three types of surgery for retinal detachment: 1) scleral buckling surgery, 2) pneumatic retinopexy, and 3) vitrectomy. Without surgery, vision will almost always be completely lost. If a detachment becomes too large for the laser treatment or cryotherapy alone, surgery is normally necessary to reattach the retina. If a retinal detachment or tear is small, it may be repaired using laser surgery, cryotherapy (freezing an area), or a combination of the two. The retinal surgeon will decide the most effective treatment for a retinal detachment, hole or tear. What is the treatment for a retinal detachment, a retinal hole or a retinal tear? Left untreated, in most cases, after a retinal detachment starts, the entire retina will eventually detach and all useful vision in that eye will be lost. Frequently, detachments begin with loss of peripheral vision and patients may notice a dark shadow, or a veil, coming from one side, above or below. This collection of fluid causes a lifting action and markedly disturbs the vision. This typically happens when liquefied vitreous fluid passes through a small tear in the retina and collects behind the retina. Retinal detachments, holes and tears are serious conditions that require immediate attention.Ī retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the back wall of the eye. Laser surgery is frequently performed in the office of the surgeon, but it is also utilized during other complicated retinal procedures in an outpatient surgical area. The body responds to heal the area and in so doing, a seal is created. As the light reaches the problem area to be treated, it begins to heat up. The laser generates a light source that is directed through a special contact lens or ophthalmoscope. Retinal laser surgery is used to treat a variety of problems including retinal tears, retinal holes, small retinal detachments and leaking blood vessels in the back of the eye. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |