Why Choose Dr Taneja?
- Dr Taneja has extensive experience in the management of patients with routine and complex retinal detachment.
- As a consultant vitreoretinal surgeon for last 20 years, he performs high volume vitreoretinal surgery. He will select the appropriate surgical technique tailored to the patient and their eye: options available include scleral buckling, vitrectomy, combined scleral buckle/vitrectomy and pneumatic retinopexy.
- He trains the next generation of vitreoretinal surgeons in the management of retinal detachment.
What Is Retinal Detachment?
- Retinal detachments affect about 1 in 10,000 people per year and occur when the light sensitive retina, which normally lines the inside of the eye, separates from the underlying layers.
- Most retinal detachments occur as the result of tears or holes in the retina and are managed surgically.
Procedure Information
- Two principal methods of retinal reattachment can be employed separately or in combination: these are scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy.
- Scleral buckling involves suturing a silicone tire or sponge onto the white of the eye (sclera). Buckles are placed underneath the conjunctiva (the “skin” covering the white of the eye) and are not visible externally. Buckles maintain retinal attachment by changing the flow of fluid within the eye. Retinal holes or tears are treated during surgery with cryotherapy (freezing).
- Vitrectomy is a micro-keyhole surgery in which the vitreous gel is removed, causative retinal tears are identified and treated and in which fluid is removed from under the retina. At the completion of surgery gas or silicone oil is injected into the eye to maintain retinal attachment. Gas is reabsorbed by the eye, however oil must be removed at a second surgery. Patients are generally advised to posture for up to 20 days following the surgery – this will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
- Retinal detachment surgery is usually performed under local anaesthesia with sedation.
- Success rates for retinal detachment surgery are dependent upon the characteristics of the detachment, however, more than 90% of detachments can be repaired successfully with a single operation.