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Retinal detachment repair
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Indications for retinal
detachment repair
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Retinal detachment repair procedures
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After Your Retinal Detachment Repair
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How do I
get more information?
Retinal Detachment Repair
The
retina, which lines
the inside of the
posterior wall of
the eye, may occasionally become detached for various reasons. Most commonly,
retinal detachment
occurs as a result of a tear or hole in the retina, which develops as a result
of a
posterior vitreous detachment
or separation (PVD). The retinal tear or hole allows fluid to enter
the subretinal space, thus detaching the retina.
The retina receives oxygen and nutrients from the underlying choroid (vascular
layer) of the eye. When a retinal detachment occurs, the detached retina begins
to dysfunction, and ultimately, necrosis (death) ensues as a result if the
retina is not reattached to the underlying choroid. As such, a retinal
detachment is an urgent condition. The detached retina should be recognized and
treated promptly.
Indications for Retinal Detachment Repair
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Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (secondary to retinal hole or
tear)
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Tractional retinal detachment (secondary to vitreous membranes,
such as that which may occur in proliferative diabetic retinopathy)
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Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), secondary to long-standing
retinal detachment
Retinal Detachment Surgical
Procedures
The surgical management of retinal detachment may include several different
procedures, depending on the circumstances. These procedures include pneumatic
retinopexy, scleral buckling, and vitrectomy. Each of these procedures is
discussed below.
Pneumatic Retinopexy
Pneumatic retinopexy is a procedure in which a gas bubble is placed inside the
vitreous cavity, either before or after, the retinal hole is treated with laser
or cryotherapy (freezing) to help seal the hole permanently. The gas bubble,
which must be positioned over the hole, prevents fluid from entering the hole
while the retina heals. Ophthalmologists sometimes use the phrase, "put the
bubble on the trouble" to describe this aspect of the procedure to patients.
Since the positioning of the bubble is dependent on positioning of the patient,
pneumatic retinopexy is usually only appropriate for retinal detachments (with
holes) in the superior (top) part of the eye.
Scleral Buckling
Scleral buckling surgery is probably the most commonly required procedure for
repair of retinal detachment. In this procedure, a soft silicone band is placed
around the eye, which indents the outside of the eye towards the detached
retina, thereby relieving vitreous traction on the retinal hole. The buckle is
much like a belt around one's waist. It is kept in place with tiny sutures to
the sclera of the eye.
In many cases, the vitreo-retinal surgeon drains the fluid under the retina at
the site of the retinal detachment, and then seals the hole (or holes) with
laser or cryotherapy.
Vitrectomy
In some cases, a vitrectomy is also necessary for repair of a retinal
detachment. In this procedure, the vitreous humor is removed from the eye with
an instrument known as a vitrector. This instrument utilizes a tiny guillotine
cutting device to safely remove the vitreous while replacing it with saline.
Laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy are still typically used if a retinal hole
or tear is present. A scleral buckling procedure may also be combined with the
vitrectomy for certain types of retinal detachment.
Retinal detachment can be successfully repaired in about 90% of cases with a
single surgical procedure. However, anatomical success does not always mean
functional success. Those patients with retinal detachments that do not involve
the
macula (central
retina) have the best prognosis. Fortunately, the great majority of patients
will have a successful outcome, especially if they seek attention as soon as
vision is lost.
After Your Retinal Detachment Repair
Following retinal detachment surgery, you will likely be required to use
antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drop medications, perhaps for a few weeks
or more following surgery. Your surgeon will prescribe a regimen of medication
and follow-up, which you should carefully follow.
Recovery following retinal detachment repair will depend largely on the location
and extent of retinal detachment prior to repair. Patients who have had only a
peripheral retinal detachment will likely have faster recovery and a better
outcome than patients who had a retinal detachment involving the macula (central
retina). Patients who had a total retinal detachment, which had been present for
a few weeks or more, have a much worse prognosis for a favorable visual result.
In any case, the final visual result may not be known for up to several months
following surgery. Your surgeon will be the best judge of what individual
results you should expect.
How do I get more
information?
There are several ways of reaching the ophthalmologists of EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic:
Hover note: Please place your mouse cursor over the red box
to click on the web and email links. For websites, a new browser
window will open. For emails, your default email program will
open. You may cut and paste the URLs or email addresses if you
prefer not to open new windows.
ONLINE ACCESS
WEBSITES.
http://www.EyeRepublic.com.ph - EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
http://www.OCP.com.ph - Ophthalmic
Consultants Philippines Co. -
http://www.LASIK.com.ph - Refractive
Surgery Resource
http://www.Cataract.com.ph - Cataract Surgery Resource
http://www.Eye.com.ph - Eye
Information Online
http://www.EyeDoc4Kids.com.ph - Eye Information for Kids
http://www.Retina.com.ph - Retina
Surgery Resource
http://www.Glaucoma.com.ph - Glaucoma
Online
http://www.Uveitis.com.ph - Uveitis Online
EMAIL. After writing down your comments,
suggestions, problems and/or questions, kindly tell us how
to get in touch with you by providing your name, email,
home/office numbers, and mobile phone.
General inquiries - help@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Refractive Surgery Service - refractive.surgery@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Glaucoma Service - glaucoma@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Cataract Service - cataract@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Doctors - eyemd@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Administrative - president@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Website - webmaster@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Newsletter -
newsletter@EyeRepublic.com.ph (receive
news and updates, discounts and promotions)
BLOG. Send us your comments.
EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Atlas
CLINIC INFORMATION
Mobile E-Yellow Pages. Via
SMS, text LUK4 EYEREPUBLIC
(send to 2851 for Globe and Sun Cellular, and 2951 for Smart). |
EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic
Manila
3/F Don Santiago Building Units 309-310
1344 Taft Avenue, Ermita
Manila, 1000 Philippines
Direct and Fax: (632) 536-2398
Trunk Line: (632) 523-8271 to 79 local 30
Mobile: (63917) 899-2020
Map and directions
|
EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
Asian Hospital
and Medical Center
5/F Medical Office
Building (MOB) Suite 509
2205 Civic Drive,
Filinvest, Alabang
Muntinlupa City,
1781 Philippines
Direct:
(632) 771-9253
Direct and Fax:
(632) 771-9254
Mobile: (63917) 795-2020
Map and Directions
|
EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic
Medical City
6/F Medical Arts Tower Inc (MATI) Suite 602
MERALCO Compound, Ortigas Avenue
Pasig City, 1604, Philippines
Direct and Fax: (632) 632-7846
Mobile: (63917) 537-2020
Map and directions
|
EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
St. Luke's
Medical Center
6/F
Cathedral Heights Building Complex (CHBC)
North Tower Suite 614
279 E. Rodriguez
Sr. Boulevard
Quezon City, 1102
Philippines
Direct and Fax:
(632) 407-3883
Mobile: (63917) 855-2020
Map and directions
|
CLINIC HOURS
First-Come, First-Served
Monday to Saturday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
All clinics are closed on Sundays and Holidays
|
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RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR information
compiled by
Dr.
Edmin Michael G. Santos and initially uploaded on May 1, 2005.
Last updated on
September 14, 2007. |
