Vitreoretinal Surgery may be performed by Dr. Cohen and Dr. Kanter for a variety of reasons. Patients suffering from retinal detachments, vision loss secondary to diabetic-related intraocular bleeding or scar tissue, macular hole and macular pucker, post-cataract surgery conditions, intraocular infection and inflammation, and traumatic eye injury may benefit from vitreoretinal surgery to treat their underlying problem and help to rehabilitate their vision loss.

	Retinal Detachment

A retinal tear diagnosed by your physician may be treated in the office by laser surgery or cryosurgery to create a barrier to prevent further progression to a retinal detachment. These procedures are extremely well tolerated under mild local anesthesia. Patients will be asked to return to the office for routine follow-up to determine if any additional retinal tears have developed.

There are several methods currently used to repair a retinal detachment. An in-office procedure known as pneumatic retinopexy may be performed if the configuration of the retinal detachment is suitable for this repair. A bubble of gas is injected into the eye. Appropriate head positioning is crucial to maximize the rate of surgical success. Laser and/or cryosurgery are used to reduce further the risk of retinal re-detachment.

Scleral buckling surgery is performed in an operating room setting. A flexible band known as a scleral buckle is sutured to the back of the eye wall to counteract the intraocular forces that are acting to pull the retina from its normal position.

A vitrectomy is similarly performed in the operating room, often in conjunction with a scleral buckle. Vitrectomy means "removal of vitreous," the clear jelly-like substance that fills the inner portion of the eye. Vitrectomy surgery may be used primarily for retinal detachment repair. Similarly, vitrectomy is the indicated procedure for macular hole and macular pucker surgery, severe diabetic-related eye disease, and some forms of traumatic vision loss. Using an operating microscope, your surgeon will enter the eye and remove the vitreous and any accumulated blood, scar tissue, inflammatory debris or foreign bodies that may have developed secondary to a variety of eye conditions. Very fine instruments such as micro-forceps, scissors, and knives are used to complete the vitrectomy surgical procedures. Replacement of vitreous gel with a physiologic salt solution, intraocular gas, or a long-term tamponade agent such as silicone oil may be performed depending on the procedure and the diagnosis. Injection of various compounds, including antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs may be similarly performed depending on the scope of the disease. Laser surgery is commonly used as an adjunctive procedure during vitrectomy surgery.

As indicated above, appropriate head positioning is crucial if an intraocular gas is used. You may not fly in an airplane or travel to high altitudes with a gas bubble in your eye. The change in air pressure may result in a dangerous increase in the pressure within your eye.

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