

Your surgeon will discuss this carefully with you and in some cases may need to discuss with any other doctors that have been treating you for other conditions. Some of these medicines include aspirin, blood thinners (warfarin, plavix, clopidrogel, ecotrin), cough syrup, large amounts of vitamins (especially Vitamin E), garlic tablets, anti-inflammatories, and hormone replacement therapy. Include long term treatments such as insulin, warfarin, aspirin and contraceptive pills.įor some days before surgery, you may be required to stop taking medicines that are likely to increase the risk of bleeding. Please include the details of any eye drops. It is important to give your doctor a list of ALL your medicines (including homeopathic products and vitamins). Excessive scar formation or poor healing of scars after previous surgery.Prolonged bleeding or excessive bruising when injured.An allergy or bad reaction to antibiotics, anaesthetic drugs, other medicines, surgical tapes or dressings.The following must be disclosed to your doctor: Any health problems must be fully disclosed, as some conditions may alter the treatment of retinal detachment. Your ophthalmologist needs to know your complete medical history. Dilating drops in your eye to dilate your pupils, which allows the inside of your eye and retina to be examined in detail.You will need to be examined by your ophthalmologist. A family history of retinal detachment and inherited weakness in the retina.A history of retinal detachment in one eye.Inherited degenerations of the peripheral part of the retina.Short-sightedness (myopia) the risk increases about four-fold to 10-fold.Most commonly, the shadow starts near the nose. There may be a “grey curtain” or “veil” across the vision, or dark spots floating about. This usually starts on one side and extends to involve central vision. Wherever the retina detaches, vision is lost and a shadow develops. If the tear is undetected it may allow the retina to detach. Unfortunately, however, some people will develop a tear to the retina as a part of the PVD process. This separation is called a posterior vitreous detachment or PVD and is a normal process. Patients can reduce these risks by choosing an experienced doctor and adhering to post-procedure instructions.The sudden onset of floaters and flashes in one eye is an important warning sign, which usually indicates that the vitreous fluid is separating from the surface of the retina. Some of these risks may include infection, bleeding, increased fluid pressure, detachment of the choroid or repeated detachment. Over 90% of patients who undergo the scleral buckle procedure experience a successful retina reattachment.Īlthough this procedure is considered safe for most patients, there are certain risks associated with any surgical procedures. This procedure usually takes one to two hours to perform. Brown may prescribe eye drops to treat these symptoms and prevent infection. This makes it easier for the retina tear to settle against the wall of the eye.Īfter the placement of the retinal buckle, patients may experience pain, swelling and redness for a few days. Over time, the scleral buckle pushes in, or “buckles,” the sclera towards the middle of the eye, relieving the pull on the retina and narrowing the space between the two layers that have torn apart. The scleral buckle is usually left on the eye permanently. This device is placed on the sclera, or white of the eye, and is placed behind the eyelids, not visible from the outside. This condition is most common in older adults and requires prompt and thorough treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.ĭuring this outpatient procedure, the patients is placed under general or local anesthetic and the scleral buckle, which is a thin strip of silicone made to look like a belt, is secured around the eyeball under the conjunctiva. Retinal detachment occurs when the two layers of the retina become separated from each other and from the wall of the eye, causing shadows and vision loss. Scleral buckle is a surgical procedure commonly used to repair a retinal detachment. Patients can eliminate some of these risks by choosing an experienced doctor. Some of these risks may include scarring on the retina, formation of new tears, trapped bubbles of gas, increased eye pressure and bleeding in the vitreous or retina. Most patients experience effective results after one treatment, although some may require additional procedures.Īlthough this procedure is considered safe, there are certain risks associated with any surgical procedure. After this procedure, patients must keep their head and eye in a certain position for most of the day, to keep the bubble in the right position to help seal the retinal tear.
