Retinal Detachment Surgery
What is Retinal Detachment Surgery ?
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Why do you need Retinal Detachment Surgery ?
Retinal detachment surgery is indicated for:
- Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD):
- Most common; caused by a retinal tear or hole allowing fluid to separate the retina (e.g., from posterior vitreous detachment, trauma, high myopia).
- Tractional retinal detachment:
- Scar tissue pulls the retina (e.g., diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreoretinopathy).
- Exudative retinal detachment:
- Fluid buildup without a tear (e.g., uveitis, tumors, central serous chorioretinopathy); surgery less common, often managed medically.
- Symptoms:
- Sudden flashes, floaters, a shadow/curtain over vision, or central vision loss (if macula involved).
The procedure aims to reattach the retina, seal any tears, and prevent further detachment, preserving or restoring vision. Techniques include scleral buckling, vitrectomy, pneumatic retinopexy, or a combination.
Why Do Retinal Detachment Surgery Costs Vary in Philippines?
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Retinal Detachment Surgery Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis:
- Dilated fundus exam: Identifies retinal tears, detachment extent, and macula involvement.
- Ultrasound (B-scan): Confirms detachment if media opaque (e.g., vitreous hemorrhage).
- Visual acuity test: Assesses vision loss (macula-on: better prognosis; macula-off: urgent).
- OCT (if needed): Evaluates macula status.
- Blood tests: Blood sugar (for diabetics), clotting profile.
- Medications: Stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin) 5–7 days prior if safe; antibiotic eye drops (e.g., moxifloxacin) 1 day pre-surgery.
- Consent: Risks, including vision loss, are explained.
- Diagnosis:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Scleral Buckling:
- Performed under general or local anesthesia, lasting 1–2 hours.
- A silicone band (buckle) is sutured around the sclera to indent the eye wall, closing retinal breaks and relieving traction.
- Cryotherapy or laser seals the retinal tear.
- Fluid under the retina may be drained via a small incision (sclerotomy).
- Used for uncomplicated RRD, esp. in younger patients or peripheral detachments.
- Vitrectomy:
- Performed under local or general anesthesia, lasting 1–3 hours.
- Small incisions (23–27 gauge) are made in the sclera.
- The vitreous gel is removed (vitrectomy) using a vitrector, relieving traction on the retina.
- Retinal tears are sealed with laser or cryotherapy.
- The eye is filled with a tamponade agent:
- Gas bubble (e.g., SF6, C3F8): Absorbs in 2–8 weeks; requires head positioning.
- Silicone oil: Removed later (3–6 months) via another surgery; used in complex cases.
- Used for complex RRD, tractional detachment, or macula-involved cases.
- Pneumatic Retinopexy:
- Performed in-clinic under local anesthesia, lasting 30–60 minutes.
- A gas bubble is injected into the vitreous to push the retina back into place.
- Laser or cryotherapy seals the tear (done before or after gas injection).
- Requires strict head positioning for 1–2 weeks.
- Used for small, superior detachments with a single tear; less invasive but higher failure rate (10–20%).
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Vitrector: Removes vitreous gel (vitrectomy).
- Laser/cryotherapy: Seals retinal tears.
- Gas/silicone oil: Tamponade agents to hold retina in place.
- Scleral Buckling:
- After Surgery:
- Hospital stay: 1 day (vitrectomy/scleral buckle); same-day discharge (pneumatic retinopexy).
- Eye care: Antibiotic/steroid drops (e.g., prednisolone, moxifloxacin) for 4–6 weeks; artificial tears for dryness.
- Pain management: Mild to moderate pain for 2–5 days; managed with acetaminophen.
- Positioning: Strict head positioning (e.g., face-down) for 1–2 weeks if gas used; varies by surgery.
- Instructions: Avoid air travel or high altitudes (with gas bubble), heavy lifting, or strenuous activity for 4–6 weeks.
Recovery After Retinal Detachment Surgery
- Hospital Stay: 1 day (vitrectomy/scleral buckle); same-day discharge (pneumatic retinopexy).
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Vision: Blurry for weeks due to gas bubble or oil; improves in 1–3 months (macula-on: better prognosis; macula-off: 50–70% regain useful vision).
- Pain: Mild to moderate for 2–5 days; managed with analgesics.
- Eye care: Antibiotic/steroid drops for 4–6 weeks; artificial tears for 1–2 months.
- Activity: Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 4–6 weeks; normal activities (e.g., reading) in 1–2 weeks.
- Positioning: Face-down or specific head position for 1–2 weeks (gas bubble); critical for success.
- Gas bubble: Absorbs in 2–8 weeks; silicone oil removed after 3–6 months (additional surgery).
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, then every 3 months for 1 year to monitor reattachment and vision.
- Visual acuity/OCT: Assesses retinal status at 1–3 months.
Most resume normal activities in 4–6 weeks; full recovery takes 3–6 months. Success rate: 85–95% achieve anatomic reattachment after one surgery; vision recovery depends on macula status (macula-on: 80–90% regain 6/12 or better; macula-off: 50–70%).
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks:
- Infection (endophthalmitis, <0.1%): Rare; causes pain, vision loss; needs urgent treatment.
- Bleeding (1–3%): Vitreous hemorrhage; may resolve or need vitrectomy.
- Raised intraocular pressure (5–10%): Temporary; managed with drops; glaucoma risk with silicone oil.
- Post-Surgery:
- Redetachment (5–15%): Due to new tears, scar tissue (proliferative vitreoretinopathy); may need additional surgery.
- Cataract (30–50% within 1–2 years): Accelerated by vitrectomy/gas; may need cataract surgery.
- Double vision (1–3%): Scleral buckle may affect eye muscles; usually temporary.
- Macular pucker (5–10%): Scar tissue on macula; may need vitrectomy if vision affected.
- Long-Term:
- Silicone oil complications (5–10%): Emulsification, glaucoma, or corneal damage; requires removal.
- Vision distortion (5–10%): If macula damaged; may not fully recover.
Report sudden vision loss, severe pain, or increased redness promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes retinal detachment?
Retinal tears (from aging, trauma, high myopia), scar tissue (diabetic retinopathy), or fluid buildup (uveitis, tumors).
Can I avoid retinal detachment surgery?
No, if symptomatic detachment; untreated detachment risks permanent vision loss. Laser or cryotherapy can treat small tears before detachment.
Is the surgery painful?
No, performed under anesthesia; mild to moderate pain for 2–5 days, managed with medication.
How soon can I resume activities?
Light activities in 1–2 weeks; normal routines in 4–6 weeks; full recovery in 3–6 months.
Is retinal detachment surgery covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for medical necessity; confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Sudden vision loss, severe pain, or increased redness.
Will my vision return to normal?
Depends on macula status; macula-on: 80–90% regain good vision; macula-off: 50–70% regain useful vision, but often not 6/6.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Follow positioning instructions, avoid air travel (with gas bubble), use prescribed drops, avoid strenuous activity for 4–6 weeks, and attend follow-ups.
Conclusion
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Looking for Best Hospitals for Retinal Detachment Surgery
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
We do not promote any hospitals. All details are sourced from Google and hospital websites. Please verify independently. Start with your surgery—here’s the list of government, budget, and superspecialty hospitals accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₱) | Maximum Price (₱) |
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Angeles City |
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Antipolo |
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Bacolod |
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Bacoor |
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Baguio |
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Butuan |
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Cagayan de Oro |
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Caloocan |
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Cebu City |
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Dasmariñas |
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Davao City |
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General Santos |
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General Trias |
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Iligan |
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Iloilo City |
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Las Piñas |
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Makati |
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Malolos |
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Manila |
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Muntinlupa |
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Parañaque |
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Pasay |
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Pasig |
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Puerto Princesa |
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Quezon City |
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San Fernando |
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San Jose del Monte |
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Taguig |
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Valenzuela |
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Zamboanga City |
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Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.