What is vitreoretinal surgery?
Vitreoretinal surgery is performed to repair, preserve or improve the function of the retina and the surrounding vitreous structures. It addresses retinal detachment, macular holes, diabetic retinopathy and other complex retinal conditions.
Who is it for?
- Conditions Treated with Vitreoretinal Surgery:
- Retinal Detachment: Critical separation of the retina disrupting the visual pathway; requires urgent surgical repair to prevent permanent sight loss.
- Epiretinal Membrane: Delicate tissue membrane forming over the macula causing central distortion; treated with microsurgical membrane peel.
- Macular Hole: Small defect in the macula repaired via vitrectomy and gas tamponade to restore fine focus.
- Diabetic Eye Disease: Surgical management of dense vitreous haemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment.
- Managing Complications After Cataract Surgery: Specialised secondary intervention for retained lens fragments, lens dislocation, and post-cataract retinal tears.
The procedure
- Surgical Procedures & Fees:
- Vitrectomy (£3,500 / eye): Delicate removal of cloudy vitreous gel and retinal restoration.
- Scleral Buckling (£3,500 / eye): External silicone band supporting the retinal wall to seal tears.
- Laser Retinopexy (£700 / session): Precision laser barrier treatment securing retinal tears.
Recovery
Recovery varies substantially depending on the procedure performed. Laser retinopexy is an outpatient treatment with little downtime, and most patients resume normal activities the same day. Vitrectomy and scleral buckling involve a longer recovery of one to four weeks; if a gas bubble is used to support the retina, specific head positioning may be required for several days, along with a temporary restriction on flying until the gas has fully absorbed.
FROM
From £3,500
per eye
Procedure time
20 mins to 2 hrs
Anaesthetic
Local or general
Recovery
1 to 4 weeks
Hospital stay
Day case