Retinal detachment surgery is one of several treatments to reattach the retina to the back of the eye. Small retinal tears may not need surgery. Your doctor may be able to fix tiny holes or tears in the retina with freeze treatment or laser procedures.
Complete retinal detachments may require surgery. At the UPMC Vision Institute, our experts do three retinal detachment treatments. They are:
- Scleral buckle: The doctor sews a patch of rubber or soft plastic to the outside of the eyeball. This patch pushes the wall of the eye closer to the retina to help close it. The doctor may seal it with lasers or a freeze treatment.
- Pneumatic retinopexy: The doctor inserts a small air bubble into the eye to push the retina back into place. They may use laser or freeze treatment to repair any holes or tears. As the eye heals, your body will make fluid to fill the eye and replace the gas bubble.
- Vitrectomy: The doctor will remove the vitreous gel if it's pulling on the retina. The retina is then pushed back and sealed with a laser. They fill the eye with a gas bubble to hold the retina in place during healing.
Retinal Detachment Surgery Benefits and Risks
The potential risks and complications of retina surgery are:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Double vision
- Droopy eyelid
- Growth of scar tissue
- Recurrence of the detached retina
The main benefit of retina surgery — not losing your vision — almost always outweighs the risks of surgery. Retinal detachment treatment is successful for 9 out of 10 people.