Retinal Detachment

Patients with retinal detachment require surgery to prevent further visual loss, and to regain part or all of their lost vision

One method involves sealing the retinal tears with laser or freezing treatment, and stitching a silicone "explant" to the eye wall to create a "dent" in the surface of the eye. This supports the torn area. The explant is left in place, and when the eye settles it cannot be seen, so that the eye looks normal. Sometimes a bubble of inert gas is injected into the eye to press on the retina from the inside. For certain types of detachment an operation called vitrectomy is carried out. Sometimes explants are also used with this form of surgery.

Over 80% of retinal detachments operated upon by specialist vitreoretinal surgeons in the UK can be successfully repaired with one operation, and the success rate increases to over 90% with subsequent surgery. There are some detachments which cannot be treated successfully even with multiple operations. Depending on whether the central retina has been involved, the sharp vision may be affected. The peripheral vision is usually regained.

There is a risk of cataract formation, particularly in older people. The pressure in the eye may be temporarily increased, this can be treated with drops. There may be double vision, but this usually subsides without treatment. Serious bleeding into the eye, or infection, can occur and caused marked visual loss, but these complications are extremely rare and far outweighed by the necessity to treat the detachment. The focus of the eye may be slightly altered, requiring a change of spectacles.

Most surgery will be performed with general anaesthetic, although local anaesthetic is also possible.

Usually there is a hospital stay of one or two nights.

It usually takes about 2 months to be sure that the retina is successfully treated, although the eye may settle more quickly. A reattached retina may go on improving for 12 months or more.

No heavy exercise in any way should be undertaken, for a few weeks. After some retinal detachment procedures it is forbidden to fly, and you should ask your doctor whether and when you may fly again.

Your eye will be red, gritty, tearing. Often you will get drops that may affect the vision for some time. Blurred vision is therefore to expected.