![]() ![]() Scleral buckling surgery is a common way to treat a detached retina. Recovering from a scleral buckle or vitrectomy There are three types of retinal detachment surgery: scleral buckle, vitrectomy and pneumatic retinopexy. It can take several weeks or months for someone’s vision to fully recover after detached retina surgery, but most discomfort will go away within the first week. A patient’s health condition, type of surgery, detachment severity and detachment location can all factor into the recommended post-op precautions - and how long it takes to get back on their feet.Ĭertain precautions will apply to nearly every patient, while other factors (like expected recovery time) may vary. The detached retina recovery process can be a little different for everyone. Around 5% of patients will develop an abnormal scar tissue reaction following surgery which can cause recurrence of the detachment and usually necessitates further intervention.By Adam Debrowski reviewed by Gary Heiting, OD ![]() The extent of vision recovery is also highly variable and depends on the extent of the initial detachment and how long the detachment had been present. In general, patients can expect to see recovery of vision beginning anywhere from 2-6 weeks following surgery if healing proceeds normally. Additionally, airplane travel is not permitted during recovery due to the effect of altitude on the intraocular gas. This can be challenging, but is critical to the success of surgery. If intraocular gas is used, it will usually be essential for the patient to keep his or her head in a certain position for several days following surgery. The recovery from retinal detachment surgery is variable and depends on the type of procedure performed. Some patients require both a vitrectomy and scleral buckle procedure be performed at the same time for the optimal outcome. Scleral buckle surgery involves placing a silicone band around the eye which also serves to reduce the vitreous traction on the retina. Once this is accomplished, the retina can be re-attached using numerous techniques with specialty gases, fluids and laser treatment. In vitrectomy surgery, the general concept is that the vitreous gel inside the eye is first removed so as to eliminate its ability to pull on the retina. Typically, the patient is able to go home following surgery and is seen in follow-up the next morning. These procedures require a trip to the hospital and are performed by our physicians with the patient asleep under general anesthesia. Surgery for retinal detachment involves two types of procedures, vitrectomy and scleral buckling. In many cases, traditional surgery is a better option and will be recommended. The advantage of this is avoidance of the somewhat greater risk of traditional surgery, along with much improved patient comfort and easier recovery. In some cases, retinal detachments can be very effectively managed without traditional surgery by means of an in-office procedure using laser treatment with or without an injection of a specialized gas into the eye, a treatment called pneumatic retinopexy. Retinal detachments are like fingerprints in that each one is different, and your physician will discuss the considerations around your situation on a case-by-case basis. ![]() In other cases, the repair needs to be performed as urgently as possible. In some cases, it is safe to delay treatment by up to a week or more without a significant concern that the delay will result in any difference in outcome. Treatment is typically recommended either immediately or within several days, depending on the circumstance and type of detachment. The reason for this is that after the retina has separated from the eye wall, it soon begins to undergo permanent structural changes that can reduce the chances for the best recovery of vision. Once the retina has detached, it is important to undergo treatment urgently to re-attach the retina. ![]()
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