A retinal tear can occur when the vitreous gel inside the eye pulls away from the retina in particular a part that is adherent to the retina, causing the retina to tear or break. retina to tear.
The commonest cause of a retinal tear is a posterior vitreous detachment where the vitreous gel pulls away from the retina. This occurs due to age with the vitreous gel shrinking and becoming more liquid and collapsing, leading to the vitreous pulling away from the back of the eye.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is an emergency and it is generally advisable to seek urgent attention to prevent a retinal detachment.
Laser retinopexy seals the retinal tear with 1-2 rows of laser surrounding the torn retina which prevents the tear form enlarging or causing a retinal detachment or the ‘camera film’ of the eye from detaching.
Cryotherapy treatment also enables the retina to be sealed but utilises a lower temperature to freeze the retina to prevent the retinal tear from extending, thereby preventing a retinal detachment. It is used mainly for retinal tears which are more anterior and not easily accessible for laser retinopexy.
You will be given drops to dilate the pupil and which take 20-30 minutes to work. The laser is performed by sitting at in front of a laser machine and the doctor performing the procedure with explain the procedure and answer all questions that you may have related to the procedure. A small contact lens is placed on the eye and it takes 15-20 minutes to complete the treatment.
The commonest risk is transient visual blurring which may last for a few days. The eyedrops used to dilate the pupils to enable laser treatment, also cause blurred vision.
Your vision may be blurred for a few hours following the procedure but will revert to normal afterwards. You may return to normal activity immediately after the procedure although the dilating drops take 4-6 hours to wear off.
The laser retinopexy and cryotherapy treatments are permanent and should last for the area that was treated unless a new tear occurs.
Laser retinopexy or cryotherapy are treatments to seal the retinal tears to prevent them from extending or enlarging and causing a retinal detachment.
| New consultation | £320 |
| Follow up | £280 |
| Laser retinopexy (PRP) | |
| – one eye | £550 |
| – both eyes | £750 |
| Cryoretinopexy (CRYO) | |
| – one eye | £550 |
| – both eyes | £750 |
Retinal detachment is the separation of the retina or the neurosensory part of the back of the eye that helps you to see, from the inner structures of the eye. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent loss of vision or blindness due to interruption of the blood and oxygen supply to the retina.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is an emergency and it is generally advisable to seek urgent attention to prevent a retinal detachment.
Vitrectomy is usually performed for most of the retinal detachments. It involves highly skilled complex surgery inside the eye involving the removal of vitreous gel. The fluid lying beneath the detached retina is then drained off followed by sealing of the retinal tear or break with laser or cryotherapy. This can be augmented by introducing a bubble of special gas or silicone oil to push or tamponade the retina providing the internal pressure to reattach the retina.
Scleral buckle is performed if there is a retinal hole present instead of a retinal tear. It involves surgery on the outside of the eye wall instead and involves the use of a silicone band which tamponades or provides external pressure from the outside of the eye against the retinal break and cryotherapy or laser is used to seal it.
This method is involves using a gas bubble injection without doing a vitrectomy. Cryotherapy or laser may be performed at a later stage depending upon the requirement.
Laser retinopexy is occasionally used for retinal detachments that are situated on the periphery and are small in size.
Recovery time after surgery for a detached retina varies but generally, you may experience the following for about 2 to 6 weeks after surgery:
Most people are eventually able to return to all their normal activities.
Retinal detachment is the separation of the retina or the neurosensory part of the back of the eye. Various treatment options are available depending upon the complexity of the retinal detachment which allows the retina to be successfully reattached.
| New consultation | £320 |
| Follow up | £280 |
| Pneumatic retinopexy | £2500 |
| Vitrectomy (simple to complex) | £4500 – £6500 |
| Scleral buckle with cryoretinopexy/laser retinopexy | £3500 |
An epiretinal membrane is a thin layer of scar tissue that develops on the surface of the retina. The early stage is like cellophane or clingfilm and called ‘cellophane maculopathy’. Later stages result from contraction of scar tissue leading to crumpling or wrinkling of the retina and is called ‘macular pucker’.
There are two schools of thought:
Causes that may result in epiretinal membrane formation are:
An epiretinal membrane affects the vision as it involves the macula which helps you to read and define detail. The symptoms include:
Most epiretinal membranes remain stable with little or no impact on vision. These can be observed.
Vitrectomy and membrane peeling may be recommended if there is a significant amount of distortion in your vision. Air or a gas bubble may be used at the time of surgery. An epiretinal membrane peel surgery gives an 80-85% chance of improving the distortion. It may or may not improve the blurred vision.
Recovery time after surgery for an epiretinal membrane peel varies but generally, you may experience the following for about 2 to 6 weeks after surgery:
Most people are eventually able to return to all their normal activities.
An epiretinal membrane is a thin layer of scar tissue that develops on the surface of the retina. The symptoms include distortion of vision and or blurred vision. Most epiretinal membranes remain stable with little or no impact on vision. Vitrectomy and membrane peeling may be recommended if there is a significant amount of distortion in your vision.
| New consultation | £320 |
| Follow up | £280 |
| Vitrectomy (simple to complex) | £4500 – £6500 |
A macular hole is a hole that develops at the macula which is the small area that enables you to read and define detail and see colour. As a result, a macular hole affecting the central part of the retina can have a profound effect on the central vision.
A macular hole most commonly a result of the normal ageing change of the vitreous gel in the eye. Ageing of the vitreous gel leads to its separation from the retina which usually does not cause any problems. However, occasionally as the gel separates from the retina, it can leave residual gel fibres. It can vary from stage I to IV depending upon the size and development of the macular hole.
A way to test for a macular hole is to view an Amsler Grid at your reading distance with your reading spectacles in place and closing one eye. The following symptoms can occur:
Vitrectomy is usually performed for stage IV macular holes. It involves highly skilled complex surgery inside the eye involving the removal of vitreous gel. The surgery removes the vitreous gel from the eye and a bubble of gas is placed in the eye, which helps the macular hole heal. Face down posturing may be required for approximately 3 days after surgery depending on the size of the hole.
A macular hole is a hole that develops at the macula and occurs most commonly a result of the normal ageing change of the vitreous gel in the eye. It can vary from stage I to IV depending upon the size and development of the macular hole.
| New consultation | £320 |
| Follow up | £280 |
| Vitrectomy (simple to complex) | £4500 – £6500 |
‘Floaters’ are a common experience for most people with normal eyes. They occur because of changes in vitreous jelly, which lies directly in front of the retina. The jelly can be become detached from the retina and is called a posterior vitreous detachment. This can give rise to floaters. They often look like tadpoles or spiders.
Detachment of the vitreous from the retina is very common, especially in people over the age of 50. In 90% of patients, there is no damage to the retina and no treatment is needed. It is a once in a lifetime event, and once it is detached, it cannot be reattached.
If the floaters are troublesome, they can be alleviated by wearing dark glasses. The floaters will usually become less noticeable with time. They are generally harmless and generally do not require treatment. Rarely, the floaters may require surgical removal if they impact on your vision and prevent you from carrying out your day to day activities.
‘Floaters’ are a common experience for most people with normal eyes. They occur because of changes in vitreous jelly. They are generally harmless and generally do not require treatment.
| New consultation | £320 |
| Follow up | £280 |
Regular eye exams help in early detection and treatment of eye conditions, preventing serious complications and maintaining optimal vision health. They can also detect underlying health issues like diabetes and hypertension.
| New consultation | £320 |
| Follow up | £280 |
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