A detached retina is when the thin layer at the back of your eye (retina) becomes loose. It needs to be treated quickly to stop it from permanently affecting your sight.
The only treatment for a detached/dislocated retina is surgery. The main aim of surgery is to seal holes in the retina and reattach the retina.
The two methods used in retinal detachment surgery are vitrectomy or scleral buckle or a combination of the two.
Retinal detachment surgery can be performed under local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic.
What are the benefits of retinal detachment surgery?
The most obvious benefit is preventing you from going blind in the affected eye.
The success rate for retinal detachment surgery is approximately 90% with a single operation. This means that 1 in 10 people (10%) will need more than one operation.
Does the retinal detachment surgery painful?
Although retinal detachment surgery is a major operation, it is rarely very painful. It is normal to experience some discomfort in the eye after surgery, but this can usually be relieved with simple painkillers such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
Is there any alternative to surgery?
There are no alternative treatments other than surgery for retinal detachment.
References:
- https://publicdocuments.sth.nhs.uk/pil2575LP.pdf
- https://www.hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/retinal-detachment-surgery/
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/detached-retina-retinal-detachment/#:~:text=Treatment%20for%20a%20detached%20retina&text=removing%20and%20replacing%20the%20jelly,of%20your%20eye%20(pneumatic%20retinopexy)