What Is Vmt Eye Surgery?

By Author: Retina Surgeon
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The vitreous is a transparent, gel-like substance that fills the eye, giving your eye shape. It is protected by a thin shell, which is known as the vitreous cortex. The cortex is sealed to the retina in those with healthy eyes.

As we age, or in some pathalogic conditions, the vitreous cortex pulls away from the retina, which is known as posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). This is usually part of the natural ageing process. Sometimes this process doesn't complex and leaves the vitreous partially attached to the retina, which causes pulling. This is known as vitreomacular traction (VMT) syndrome.

VMT can result in a number of disorders to do with the macular, which is located in the centre of the retina. It can cause macular holes, epiretinal membranes, and cystoid macular oedemas. These are associated with the vision sharpness and can cause other complications.

The most common symptoms associated with VMT includes a decrease in the vision sharpness, flashing of light in the eye, objects that appear smaller than they are and distorted vision, where straight lines appear wavy. In some cases the symptoms are ...
... mild and slowly develop, though chronic fractional effects can result in vision loss if you leave it untreated. Sometimes a patient may experience distortion in their vision without having a problem with the sharpness.

The most common cause of VMT is age related, when the vitreous humour degenerates and results in pockets of fluid within the vitreous forming, which causes loss of volume and contraction. The vitreous gel separating from the retina occurs, as the vitreous becomes more liquefied. The traction will force stretching on the macular over a period of time.

In addition to this, the weakening of the attachments of the vitreous and internal lining of the retina can lead to partial detachment, which causes PVD and possibly VMT. This is more common in older adults, especially women who have age related vitreous changes due to post-menopausal oestrogen levels.

Some of the risk factors for this condition includes being extremely near-sighted, having age related macular degeneration, having diabetic macular oedema, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion.

An ophthalmologist will carry out optical coherence tornography (OCT) testing, which is a non invasive way to monitor and identify VMT syndrome. This captures cross sections of the retinal layers, which includes the surface. It enables the ophthalmologist to evaluate the degree of the VMT forces and how they are distorting the retina structure. Sometimes a dynamic B scan ultrasound may be needed, which provides a detailed evaluation of the vitreoretinal interface.

There are a few treatments for VMT syndrome. The first is to wait and monitor the condition using OCT, which is commonly used for patients in the early stages or do not need active intervention. In some cases, VMT spontaneously resolves itself.

If your symptoms require intervention, you may be offered VMT eye surgery, known as a vitrectomy. This procedure involves the manual release of the vitreous attachment, alleviating the traction. It is an invasive procedure and is usually reserved for patients who are at risk of severe visual disturbances or central blindness due to the condition.

Another option is known as pneumatic vitreolysis. This is when the ophthalmologist injects a small gas bubble into the eye. The patient is required to look downwards a few times each hour for a couple of days, causing the gas bubble to sever the attachment and relieve the traction.

The majority of patients that have VMT eye surgery enjoy good sight in the affected eye in the long run.

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