/assets/production/practices/aa52b54992c5e401a3b136dda4f6146d5a9f654b/images/2856283.jpg)
Many conditions affecting the retina also involve the clear vitreous gel that fills the back of your eye. Retina specialists Kruti Dajee, MD, Archana Nair, MD, and the team at Greater Dallas Retina in McKinney, Texas, provide specialist surgical care for retinal and vitreous disorders. When medication, injections, or laser treatment can’t adequately address a problem, vitreoretinal surgery may be necessary. Call Greater Dallas Retina to arrange an evaluation or complete the online form to learn more about vitreoretinal diseases and surgery.
Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery Q & A
What does vitreoretinal mean?
The retina is the sensitive tissue that converts light into signals your brain interprets as vision. The vitreous is a transparent, gel-like substance filling the space in front of the retina.
Changes in the vitreous can sometimes affect the retina. For example, the vitreous may pull on retinal tissue as it changes with age. This traction can contribute to retinal tears and other vitreoretinal disorders.
Some diseases cause bleeding, scarring, swelling, or abnormal blood vessels within the retina and vitreous. Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may involve observation, intravitreal injections, or laser procedures.
An examination at Greater Dallas Retina can uncover vitreoretinal diseases and whether surgery for them is necessary.
Which conditions might require vitreoretinal surgery?
Surgery may become necessary for the following vitreoretinal diseases:
- Retinal detachment
- Macular holes
- Epiretinal membranes
- Vitreous hemorrhage
- Vitreomacular traction syndrome
- Advanced diabetic retinopathy
- Retained lens fragments
- Endophthalmitis
- Dislocated intraocular lenses
The procedure required depends on which structures are affected and the nature of the retinal problem.
What does vitreoretinal surgery involve?
Pars plana vitrectomy is one of the principal procedures used in vitreoretinal surgery. Your surgeon makes very small openings in the white part of the eye and uses microsurgical instruments to remove some or all of the vitreous gel.
Removing the vitreous provides access to the retina and can also eliminate blood, debris, or traction that’s interfering with vision. After removing the vitreous, your surgeon can perform other necessary repairs. These might include:
- Peeling scar tissue from the retinal surface
- Draining fluid from underneath a detached retina
- Using laser treatment to seal retinal tears
A scleral buckle involves placing a silicone band or similar material around the outside of the eye to support a detached retina and reduce traction. Pneumatic retinopexy uses a gas bubble inside the eye to help reposition certain retinal detachments.
Vitrectomy may also be performed with saline, a gas bubble, or silicone oil replacing the extracted vitreous and helping support the retina while it heals. Gas bubbles are commonly used during procedures for retinal detachment and macular holes.
What happens after a vitreoretinal disease diagnosis and surgery?
Recovery from a vitreoretinal disease surgery varies according to the procedure. Your vision may initially be blurry, and the eye can feel mildly irritated.
If you have a gas bubble placed inside your eye, you may need to maintain a particular head position while the retina heals. You must also avoid flying or traveling to high altitudes until the gas has completely disappeared.
Call Greater Dallas Retina to schedule a specialist vitreoretinal disease and surgery assessment or request an appointment online today.