Retinal detachment
What is retinal detachment?
Retinal detachment is the separation of the retina or the neurosensory part of the back of the eye that helps you to see, from the inner structures of the eye.
If left untreated, it can lead to permanent loss of vision or blindness due to interruption of the blood and oxygen supply to the retina.
What causes a retinal detachment?
- affects 1 in 10,000 people per year in the general adult population
- risk increases with age especially over 50 years
- significant short-sightedness, previous trauma or surgery to the eye
- history of retinal detachment in the family
- retinal tear leading to separation of the retina (rhegmatogenous retinal detachment)
- diabetic eye complications in advanced stages (tractional retinal detachment)
- inflammation in the eye or uveitis (exudative retinal detachment)
What are the symptoms of retinal detachment?
- sudden increase in black floaters or spots
- shadow in the peripheral vision which
- flashing lights
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is an emergency and it is generally advisable to seek urgent attention to prevent a retinal detachment.
What are the treatment options?
Vitrectomy
Vitrectomy is the most common treatment of retinal detachment. It involves highly skilled complex surgery inside the eye involving the removal of vitreous gel.Â
The fluid lying beneath the detached retina is then drained off followed by sealing of the retinal tear or break with laser or cryotherapy. This can be augmented by introducing a bubble of special gas or silicone oil to push or tamponade the retina providing the internal pressure to reattach the retina.
Scleral buckle with cryoretinopexy
Scleral buckle is a retinal detatchement surgery performed if there is a retinal hole present instead of a retinal tear. It involves surgery on the outside of the eye wall instead and involves the use of a silicone band which tamponades or provides external pressure from the outside of the eye against the retinal break and cryotherapy or laser is used to seal it.
Pneumatic retinopexy
This treatment of retinal detachment is involves using a gas bubble injection without doing a vitrectomy. Cryotherapy or laser may be performed at a later stage depending upon the requirement.
Laser retinopexy
Laser retinopexy is a retinal detatchment surgery occasionally used for retinal detachments that are situated on the periphery and are small in size. (Link to section 12. Laser Treatment c) laser retinopexy for retinal tears).
What can I expect following treatment?
Recovery time after your treatment of retinal detachment varies but generally, you may experience the following for about 2 to 6 weeks after retinal detatchment surgery:
- blurred vision
- soreness for which oral analgesia such as Paracetamol may be taken
- redness
- avoid flying if a bubble of gas has been used during surgery
Most people are eventually able to return to all their normal activities.
Our Treatments and Price List
| New patient consultation | £320 |
| Follow up appointment | £280 |
| Pneumatic retinopexy | £2500 |
| Vitrectomy | £4500-6500 |
| simple to complex |
| Scleral buckle with cryoretinopexy/laser retinopexy | £3500 |
If you would like to discuss Ophthalmology treatments, please get in touch with a member of our team
