Anytime a person goes in for retinal surgery, there are many questions about the process. After all, surgery can be pretty scary, especially when it involves your vision. We understand that completely. To help get you prepped, or even if you are just curious, Chapel Hill Ophthalmology in Chapel Hill, NC has provided this article to give you some idea of what to expect.
Reasons for Retinal Surgery
Some problems that require retinal surgery are a little more obvious than others. For example, if you have experienced retinal detachment for whatever reason, you will absolutely need to go in for surgery to reattach it. If you allow your retina to go untreated for even a short amount of time in this state, it could cause permanent damage including complete loss of vision in that eye. So be sure to call 911 immediately if you have experienced such a thing. You should try to ensure that your retina is reattached within a few days of it becoming detached.
What Kinds of Retinal Surgery Are There?
The process of fixing retinal detachment comes in different forms of treatment, all depending on the condition of your retina. For example, your eye doctor will examine your retina to see how much of your retina has come detached. In the process, your eye doctor may even find a diagnosis for some issues that arise.
The three types of retinal surgery include pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckle, and vitrectomy. Pneumatic retinopexy involves your eye doctor injecting a small air bubble into your eye to push your retina back into place. This involves removing a tiny amount of liquid with a syringe after numbing the area.
Scleral buckle surgery involves a band going around the white part of your eye, which pushes on the sides of your eyes gently to help the retina reattach. Finally, a vitrectomy is just a longer version of a pneumatic retinopexy that usually takes place in a hospital instead of your eye doctor's office.
All surgeries are often followed by a laser or ice treatment used to treat holes or tears the eye doctor finds. In all cases, you should take care not to do heavy activity or exacerbate your eye.
Retinal Surgery Guidance from Chapel Hill Ophthalmology
While you may be nervous, it's important to take care of yourself, and your vision is included in that. To discuss with an eye doctor about potential retinal surgery, or to have them find a diagnosis for you, contact Chapel Hill Ophthalmology in Chapel Hill, NC at (919) 942-8701 today.