Retina Surgery

Epiretinal membrane surgery

An epiretinal membrane is a layer of scarring which forms at the macula. The macula is a layer of tissue that lines the inner wall of the eye. It contains cells called photoreceptors which detect the light that is being focused by the eye. The macula acts in the same way as a film in a camera. When the cells of the macula detect light, they send a visual message that travels from the macula to the brain. If a person has a damaged macula, the eye cannot detect the light passing through it and the vision will be very blurred.

An epiretinal membrane can cause blurred central vision as well as distorted central vision (“metamorphopsia”).

The only treatment for an epi-retinal membrane is a vitrectomy, in which the surgeon removes this layer of scarring from the macula via “keyhole” eye surgery.

Macular hole surgery

What is the macula?

The macula is a layer of tissue that lines the inner wall of the eye. It contains cells called photoreceptions which detect the light that is being focused by the eye. The macula acts in the same way as a film in a camera. When the cells of the macula detect light, they send a visual message that travels from the macula to the brain. If a person has a damaged macula, the eye cannot detect the light passing through it and the vision will be very blurred.

What is a macula hole?

A macular hole occurs when there is a defect in the cell layers of the central macula. It can cause blurred central vision as well as distorted central vision (“metamorphopsia”).

What is the treatment for a macula hole?

If a macula hole is significant and affecting vision, it is most commonly treated with surgery known as a vitrectomy. Vitrectomy is “keyhole” microsurgery, iin which the vitreous gel inside the eye is removed and the macula hole is closed usually with the use or gas.

Retinal detachment surgery

What is the retina?

The retina is the inner layer of the eye, like the “bladder” of a soccer ball. It is the part of the eye which detects light focused by the eye and transmits visual messages to the brain.

What is a retinal detachment?

A retinal detachment occurs when the retina peels away from the inside wall of the eye. When a retinal detachment occurs, flashes or light, floaters and loss of vision can occur.

Retinal detachment can occur in anyone but is more common on those who are myopic (“short-sighted”) or have recently undergone eye surgery such as cataract surgery.

How is retinal detachment treated?

The only effective treatment for a retinal detachment is surgery. The most common type of surgery to treat retinal detachment is known as a “vitrectomy” in which the vitreous gel inside the eye is removed and the retina reattached to its correct position, usually with the use of gas or oil.

Floater Removal

Floaters are very common and are due to opacities which develop in the vitreous, the gel-like substance which fills the eye. Floaters usually occur due to “vitreous syneresis,” an age-related process in which pockets of liquid form in the vitreous gel. As our eyes move, these pockets of fluid can be seen to move around.

Another common cause of floaters is a “posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).” In a PVD, the vitreous gel which fills the eye can pull away from the inner wall of the eye (retina) to which it is usually attached. A PVD can cause the sudden appearance of floaters. Occasionally when a PVD occurs, the vitreous can cause a tear in the inner wall of the eye (retina). If this occurs, the entire retina can come away from the wall of the eye causing a retinal detachment.

If a tear in the retina occurs due to a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), laser is required to prevent the tear from extending further.
If a retinal detachment occurs, an operation (vitrectomy) is required to repair the retina and return it to its usual position. Without this surgery vision can be permanently lost.