Retina and Vitreous in South Africa

The vitreous body or vitreous humour is the clear gel take up the space between the lens and the retina of the eyeball.

A retina specialist is a medical doctor who specializes in ophthalmology. A retina specialist may also sub-specialize in vitreoretinal medicine, which is a specialization in diseases and surgery of the vitreous body and the retina.

Vitrectomy, on the other hand, is the surgical removal of the vitreous from the middle of the eye. It is done to give the doctor better access to the back of the eye in case of retinal detachment, or if blood in the vitreous gel in case of a vitreous hemorrhage does not clear on its own.

Several eye conditions may necessitate the drainage of the vitreous. The drainage is done to allow the ophthalmologist access to the parts of the eye needing attention. Vitrectomy is done to:

• Prevent traction retinal detachment to avoid damage to the macula.
• Repair large lacerations in the retina.
• Correct or reduce vision loss that may be as a result of severe bleeding in the vitreous gel, especially when the blood does not clear on its own.
• Treat severe proliferative retinopathy which causes the formation of scar tissue.
• Treat continued neovascularization, which is the growth of new blood vessels on the retina despite repeated laser treatment.

In this surgery, an oil bubble is often used since unlike an air bubble, the oil bubble does not move around in the eye. The oil bubble makes recovery easier for patients of all ages who may have trouble keeping their head and eye in the proper position.

• Surgery can restore some vision lost due to traction retinal detachment as well as prevent further detachment. The results are better when macula has not been affected by the detachment.
• Vitrectomy also significantly improves visual acuity in people who have suffered severe vitreous hemorrhage that has not cleared on its own.

Vitrectomy often lasts 2 to 3 hours. The surgeon determines whether general or local anesthesia will be used for the surgery. The procedure may be done as outpatient surgery, but in most cases, it requires an overnight stay at the hospital.

The doctors will always advise the patient on how to position themselves at home. The patient may be needed to place themselves in the position for a while to allow the gas or oil bubble to push against the detachment.

Certain abnormal complications may develop after the surgery. Contact your doctor immediately should you notice any of the following:

• Increasing pain
• Increasing redness
• Decreasing vision
• Swelling around the eye
• Discharge from the eye
• Flashes of light or changes in your field of vision.