Why Do You Need Vitreoretinal Surgery?

By Author: Retinasurgeon
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Vitreoretinal surgery is eye surgery, a group of advanced and delicate procedures carried out deep inside the eye. Vitreoretinal surgery is performed where the vitreous gel and retina are location. The vitreous gel, is a jelly like substance that fills the cavity between the retina and the lens of the eye. This procedure is offered to restore, preserve or improve eye sight for a range of different eye conditions.

The most common reasons why you may be offered vitreoretinal surgery is that you have advanced diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy progresses slowly, damaging the blood vessels in the retina. Over time eye sight can deteriorate and this surgical procedure helps to preserve sight.

Floaters are common and a natural part of the ageing process. Some people learn to live with their floaters, while others may find that they have severe visual disadvantages. Flashes occur when the vitreous gel moves around the eye and pulls on the retina, which causes a flash of light, while floaters look like cobwebs that move around the eye, they can form a retinal tear or haemorrhage. In most cases floaters are monitored ...
... with surgery being offered when they negatively impact sight.

Macular holes are also natural ageing problems that causes the vitreous gel to shrink and pull on the retina, eventually causing a hole in the centre of the retina, the area where you focus. This will impact vision and the vitreoretinal surgery helps to repair the hole to preserve, restore and improve your vision.

Macular puckers are relatively common and is a wrinkle that forms in the retina, the area where you focus, which causes problems with vision, while retinal tears and detachments are when the retina tears or separates completely. This may give the feeling that curtains are closing in their peripheral vision.

A very rare genetic disorder, known as retinitis pigmentosa, causes the cells in both retinas to degenerate, which can result in serious vision loss. The symptoms associated with this condition includes quick loss of night vision, peripheral and central vision. Another reason you may be told you need vitreoretinal surgery is retinopathy of prematurity, this happens in premature babies, when the retina isn't fully developed, which causes abnormal blood vessels to grow, which leads to distortion and retinal detachment.

The good news is that vitreoretinal surgeries have a high success rate with improvements in vision experienced within weeks. Your ophthalmologist will tell you what you need to do to prepare for surgery, this usually involves avoiding food and drink for a set number of hours, along with stopping certain medications.

The surgeon will shine an instrument into the eye and examine the retina. The eyes dilate, some ophthalmologists will also do an ultrasound to have a good view of the retina before surgery begins.

When having vitreoretinal surgery you may be awake with medication to help you relax. Anaesthetic eye drops are used to ensure you have no feeling in the eye during the surgery. Depending on your age, overall health, and how scared you are, some surgeons offer a general anaesthetic, enabling you to sleep throughout the procedure.

This type of surgery involves a small incision being made in the eye, which provides the eye surgeon with access to the vitreous gel, which is then removed. The eyes are repaired if needed and then the area is filled with a silicone oil, saline or gas. In some cases you may need a stitch or two.

About Us: Mahi Muqit is a leading consultant ophthalmologist, cataract and vitreoretinal surgeon at two private clinics in London, United Kingdom. He provides patients with superior service and support with a range of surgical procedures to meet their eye sight requirements. He has built up a solid reputation for his eye services in the London area as an expert eye doctor and surgeon offering surgical retina, medical retina and complex cataract surgery. He also offers surgery to patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy. Mahi Muqit is a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, a member of the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons and the UK and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. To find out more, visit http://www.retinasurgeon.uk.com