Retina Surgery

Diabetic retinopathy follow-up & OCT

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes. It is also known as the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults. At our practice Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is used to capture detailed images of tissues inside the eye to determine the damage to the eye and treatment information that can possibly be followed.

Detachment surgery

Pneumatic retinopexy
In this procedure, a gas bubble is injected into the Vitreous space inside the eye in combination with laser surgery or Cryotherapy. The gas bubble pushes the retinal tear into place against the back wall of the eye.

Vitrectomy

This surgery procedure is used to fix a retinal detachment. The Vitreous gel, which is pulling on the Retina, is removed from the eye and usually replaced with a gas bubble.

Sometimes an oil bubble (instead of a gas bubble) is used to keep the Retina in place. Your body’s own fluids will gradually replace the gas bubble. However, if an oil bubble was used, it has to be removed from the eye at a later stage. It is important to note that in many cases a second operation is needed.

Also, you must know that some retinal detachments cannot be fixed. This is mostly because of the development of scar tissue. If the Retina cannot be reattached, the eye will continue to lose sight.

After successful surgery for retinal detachment, vision may take many months to improve and, in some cases, may never return fully. Unfortunately, some patients do not recover any vision. The more severe the detachment, the less vision may return. For this reason, it is very important to see Dr Roelof frequently or at the first sign of any trouble with your vision.

Epiretinal membrane surgery

The only way to treat an Epiretinal membrane is through the Vitrectomy procedure. Eye drops or glasses are not effective.  During the Vitrectomy procedure, Dr Roelof makes tiny cuts in your eye and removes the vitreous from inside.  He then grasps and gently peels away the Epiretinal membrane from the Retina. He closes the incisions with small stitches in the eye.  These stiches dissolve naturally after about four to six weeks.  Dr Roelof will help you to decide if surgery is appropriate in your circumstances.

Macular hole surgery

Again Vitrectomy is the most common treatment for macular holes. In this case, Dr Roelof will remove the Vitreous gel to stop it from pulling on the Retina. He will then insert a mixture of air and gas into the space which the vitreous occupied before.This bubble of air and gas puts pressure on the edges of the Macular hole, allowing it to heal.