Ocular Anatomy And Function The Vitreous Retinal Tear And Vitreous Hemorrhage Treatment Of Retinal Tear Retinal Detachment Scleral Buckling Surgery For Retinal Detachment Pneumatic
Retinopexy Vitreous Surgery (Vitrectomy) Vitreous Hemorrhage And Retinal Detachment Proliferative Vtireoretinopathy (PVR) Giant Retinal Tear Diabetic Retinopathy Epiretinal Membrane (Macular Pucker) Intraocular Infection: Endophthalmitis Retinal Detachment With CMV Retinitis Trauma And Intraocular Foreign Body Dislocated Lens Macular Hole Submacular Surgery FAQ's About Retinal Detachment
Another type of surgery that can be done for retinal detachment
is called pneumatic retinopexy. Pneumatic retinopexy is
performed on an outpatient basis. Local anesthesia, rather than
general anesthesia, is used.
Cryotherapy or laser treatment is performed to seal the retinal tear. Instead of placing a scleral buckle on the outside of the eye, the surgeon, using a needle, injects a gas bubble inside the vitreous cavity of the eye. The patient is instructed to keep his head in a specific position so that the gas bubble pushes the detached retina against the back wall of the eye to seal the retinal tear. The patient is asked to remain in this position for various periods of time until the retinal tear is sealed against the back wall of the eye. Your surgeon will tell you how long special positioning is necessary. Antibiotic eye drops may be used during the days following the procedure. The gas bubble in the vitreous cavity of the eye expands for several days and takes two to six weeks to disappear. During this time, airplane travel or travel to a high altitude must be avoided becauses high altitudes can result in an expansion of gas and an increase in pressure that can damage the eye. Your surgeon will tell you when it is safe to travel. It is also important for a patient with a gas bubble not to lie face up, as the air bubble may come to rest against the lens of the eye and cause a cataract or high pressure in the eye.
The chance of successfully reattaching the retina with pneumatic retinopexy is less than with the scleral buckling surgery. Also, pneumatic retinpexy cannot be used, or is not effective, for every retinal detachment. Your surgeon will discuss with you whether pneumatic retinopexy is feasible and the chances for successfully reattaching your retina. With pneumatic retinopexy, hospitalization, general anesthesia, and the cutting done for the scleral buckling surgery are all avoided. Complications of pneumatic retinopexy include cataract formation, glaucoma, gas getting under the retina, excessive scar tissue formation, glaucoma, and infection. Any one of these complications can lead to a total loss of vision, but each is rare. The most common complication is recurrence of the retinal detachment. If the retina becomes detached again, scleral buckling surgery or vitrectomy can usually be performed to reattach it.
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