Retinal Surgery
Eye structure
The retina, therefore, is a thin layer strongly adhered to the eye inside.
But what keeps it stuck?
Normally the vitreous cortex, which constitutes the outer part of the vitreous, is firmly adhered to the inner walls of the eye, and therefore, in direct contact with the retina.
Retinal Vitreous Traction Syndrome
Full Macular Hole
resolution.
This is probably the least desired situation. The patient then perceives a black spot in the center of his visual field and loss of acuity that is variable but always severe.
This pathology can also be treated surgically by releasing traction in the area surrounding the hole. In most cases the hole is closed with this procedure.
But it is convenient for the patient to know that the closure of the hole does not mean the restoration of vision, although in most cases it does occur over the months following the treatment.
Epiretinal Membrane
Its frequency is approximately 2% in people over 50 and increases with age. In most cases the cause is unknown. In this case, the difference with the Vitreous Traction that we have talked about before is that the detachment has been complete, however a dense membrane is formed on the surface of the retina, which when contracted deforms the retina and therefore there is no upward traction, as in the tractional syndrome, but tangential, that is, sideways, causing wrinkling of the retina on which it is located. The symptoms are similar to those of vitreomacular Traction syndrome.
The main visual symptoms are image deformity and blurred vision.
There are other pathologies that cause these same symptoms, but it will be the ophthalmologist who with complete recognition and imaging tests can answer the questions.
The bottom image is called Amsler Grid, it serves as a reference to know if a certain pathology is affecting the Macula.
Simple the patient should look at the center of the image, the central point and see if the lines of a certain sector appear crooked. If this occurs, it would be convenient to be evaluated by an ophthalmologist.
Existen dos posibles actitudes:
- Observation and review: sometimes patient follow-up is required evaluating possible changes that may require a different attitude or sometimes the picture can be resolved spontaneously with the release of traction. This follow-up is mainly carried out with a test known as Optical Coherence Tomography that allows us to observe the morphology and traction on the macula and track the changes that occur.
- Surgery: On other occasions a surgical intervention is necessary to release the traction and prevent the process from getting worse. The surgery is called Vitrectomy. Through small incisions in the eye, instruments are introduced that allow the membranes and tractions to be released and removed on the macula and reduce symptoms.
Although the patient perceives a certain degree of discomfort during the application of anesthesia, the surgery itself is not painful.
The surgery lasts approximately 30-45 minutes in most cases. It is usually performed with local anesthesia and a certain degree of sedation and the patient can return home after the intervention following a series of recommendations that basically consist of relative rest without making any effort or sudden movements.
In a few days you can live a practically normal life by resuming your daily activity.
It is difficult to predict and very variable from one patient to another.
There are cases of almost complete visual recovery and others where the improvement is less obvious.
If we know that with surgery we stop the progression of the disease and with it the associated visual loss. We also know that the perception of bent objects and crooked lines improves and even disappears.
You have to be patient because recovery is not immediate, it occurs over the following months and even years. Generally the greatest recovery occurs in the first 3 to 4 months.
Why surgery at Sol Eyes?
To offer you the best services, not only do we provide you with world-class eye care in our clinics, but also with a large range of top medical specialists, with the most advanced examination and surgical equipment, as well as the experience gained from decades of treating patients throughout Europe.
