Three Types Of Detached Retina Treatment

Located in the back portion of the eye, the retina is an important constituent of the eye, without which our brain would never get the necessary signals and messages. The retina is made up of innumerable tissues which react to light. It remits messages to the brain with the help of optic nerve.

Just under the retina lies a slim layer of blood vessels called choroids. The main function of the choroid is to supply necessary nutrients and oxygen to retina to keep it healthy. When the retina moves away from the choroid, it gives rise to a medical condition called retinal detachment or detached retina. Detached retina treatment would demand an emergency since the retina has to get re-attached almost immediately through surgical intervention. Otherwise, it might result in a permanent disability of vision. While detached retina is an emergency situation, you need not panic. The early signs and symptoms give us enough notice to consult an ophthalmologist, before any emergency situation like a detached retina occurs.

Retinal detachment treatment would involve surgical intervention, of which there are three common types. Called pneumatic retinoplexy, scleral buckling and vitrectomy, the procedure of photocoagulation could be performed in conjunction with any of the procedures. One of the basic reasons for retinal detachment is due to any tear or hole in the retina and the pull-effect caused by a shrinking vitreous. Thus the primary objective of all these surgical procedures is to repair the hole or tear and reduce the pressure caused on the retina by the contracting vitreous. the choice of surgery method would entire depend on where the retinal detachment has occurred, its size and type.

Of the three methods of surgery, scleral buckling is perhaps the most common treatment method applied to retinal detachment. This is more common for uncomplicated cases. Mostly done in the outpatient clinic, the surgery is performed with general or local anesthesia. The location of the detachment decides on whether pneumatic retinopexy will be performed or not. When the detachment is located on the upper half part of the retina, this is the method of choice. This method is also effective when the case does not involve any other complication. This method is not without post-surgery side-effects, the most frequent of them being scar tissue formation, development of cataracts, glaucoma and infection. Chances are that the same situation might recur the second time.

There are situations in retinal detachment, when vitreous bleeding blocks the surgeons' views to locate the precise position of the detached retina. In these cases, vitrectomy is the procedure which is performed. This is also the method of choice when developments of scar tissues make it touch to treat retinal detachment.