RETINAL SURGERY
OVERVIEW
Retinal surgery aims to treat conditions affecting the retina of the eye. The retina is the thin membrane that lines the back of the eye and is responsible for transmitting information to the brain based on the amount of light that enters the eye through the iris. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision.
RETINAL SURGERY
Diseases that may affect the retina include:
- EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE
Epiretinal membrane is a delicate tissue-like scar or membrane that forms on top of the retina. When it forms over the macula, it can cause distortion and blurring in your central vision. - MACULAR HOLE
A macular hole is a break in the normal retinal tissue that develops in the macula. The macula is a tiny portion of the retina that has the highest concentration of the specialised retinal cells that allow us to have clear, sharp, detailed, central vision. A hole in this specific retinal location results in very poor central vision. - RETINAL DETACHMENT
This is a medical emergency that occurs when the retina is either pulled or lifted from its original position in the eye. Retinal detachment may begin as a small tear or break that leads to a full detachment. Retinal detachment can be caused by an injury, severe short-sightedness and diabetic eye disease. - AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
this is a gradual degeneration of eyesight in older adults. Macular degeneration is typically caused by the build-up of fatty protein deposits under the retina. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) eventually leads to the destruction and death of the specialised retinal cells, photoreceptors, that facilitate vision. In wet AMD, the more severe type of AMD, abnormal vessels begin to develop under the central part of the retina and leak blood and fluid, damaging light-sensitive cells and affecting vision.
TREATMENT
Treatment for retinal diseases depends on the type of condition as well as its severity. Our specialists have extensive training in retinal surgeries such as:
- MACULAR HOLE SURGERY
this procedure is done through small incisions into the eye. The ophthalmologist will first perform a vitrectomy to remove the vitreous (gel-like portion) of the eye. Then, the innermost layer of the retina, called the internal limiting membrane surrounding the macular hole, is peeled off and sometimes used to attempt to seal the hole. Thereafter gas is inserted into the eye to keep pressure on the macular hole and facilitate healing. - RETINAL DETACHMENT SURGERY
there are several approaches to repairing a detached retina, depending on the severity of the condition
A simple tear will be treated with freezing (cryotherapy) or laser treatment. A pneumatic retinopexy procedure may also be done, which involves injecting a gas bubble in the eye that presses against the detached retina and pushes it back into place.
In more severe tears, a scleral buckle may be recommended. During the procedure, a flexible band will be placed around the eye to counteract the force that is pulling the retina out of place. The fluid behind the detached retina will be drained, and the retina will then return to its anatomical position.
The last approach to repairing a detached retina is surgery inside the eye called a pars plana vitrectomy. This surgery involves entering the eye and manually repairing the detached retina, then using gas or silicone oil to fill up the eye and push the retina back into position and finally, laser to ensure that the re-attached retina is fixed in position. - AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Wet AMD can be treated by injection of a special medication (AntiVegF) into the eye at monthly intervals.
FAQ
1What are the risk factors for retinal detachment?
Risk factors for retinal detachment include injury to the eye, severe short-sightedness and diabetic eye disease.
2How will I know if I have a retinal detachment?
Flashes of light and floaters in the vision may be the first indicators of a retinal detachment. Symptoms of retinal detachment include painless loss of vision that can sometimes be described as a dark curtain progressively covering the field of vision.
3How is a macular hole diagnosed?
Macular holes are diagnosed using special imaging tests called optical coherence tomography.