Retinal Detachment Treatment

A detached retina can occur at any time, but the sooner you have retinal detachment surgery, the more likely it is we’ll be able to save your sight.

For that reason, you should be aware of the signs of retinal detachment, such as suddenly occurring floaters or flashes in your field of vision, a sudden loss of sight, or a gap in your vision. If you’ve experienced any of those symptoms you should make an appointment with one of our eye specialists straight away.

Treatment for retinal tears

If treatment is recommended, this can involve laser or freezing treatment (cryotherapy) to ‘weld’ down the tear, reducing the chance of retinal detachment. It’s a simple procedure that causes little or no discomfort, and you’ll be free to go home almost straight away.

Retinal detachment surgery

A detached retina causes a sudden loss of part or all of your vision in the aected eye. It is caused by the retina (the focusing surface at the back of your eye) coming away from the back wall of the eye. Retinal detachment surgery is required in almost all cases, and should be carried out as soon as possible, although some cases are more urgent than others.

Eye Institute surgeons are available at short notice, and often outside normal working hours. So when you need retinal detachment surgery fast, make sure Eye Institute is your first call.

Retinal detachment operations

Every detached retina is different, and specialists will recommend the best operation for you. In most detached retina operations, your surgeon will recommend a vitrectomy, the retina is ‘flattened’ surgically. During this procedure, a laser is used to seal the hole in the retina, and a bubble of gas is inserted to prevent liquid getting behind the retina while it reattaches.

Occasionally, your surgeon will use a ‘scleral buckle’, either instead of, or as well as a vitrectomy. This involves using a small piece of silicone to push the retina flat from outside, without the need for an internal operation.

After your retinal detachment surgery

Once your retina is successfully reattached, your vision is likely to improve. However, if the centre of the retina has been detached, vision may never return fully. Also, the longer the retina remains detached, the worse the final visual result after surgery is likely to be. It’s therefore essential to seek help as quickly as possible if you suspect you have a torn or detached retina.

With three of Eye Institute's experienced retinal surgeons - Dr Peter Hadden, Dr William Cunningham and Dr Nick Mantell - available at short notice for immediate retinal detachment surgery, Eye Institute could give you a high chance of regaining your vision after a retinal tear or detachment.