Retina Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

Retina conditions can often be treated in different ways depending on the location and severity of the problem, your overall eye health, and other individual factors. Your doctor will explain why a specific procedure is recommended for you.

For example, repairing a macular hole typically requires surgery in the operating room and may involve placing a special gas bubble inside the eye.

No. Your eye remains in place throughout the procedure. For surgery inside the eye, tiny microsurgical instruments are inserted through the white part of the eye to remove blood or scar tissue, repair the retina, and perform other necessary steps.

Some retinal detachment procedures may also involve treatment to the outside of the eye.

Laser treatment uses a focused beam of light to seal leaking blood vessels or repair certain retinal tears. It is commonly used during retina procedures, but laser alone cannot treat every retinal condition.

If laser treatment by itself is appropriate for your condition, it can often be performed in the eye clinic.

A gas bubble may be placed inside the eye during certain retina procedures to help hold the retina in the proper position while it heals. If a gas bubble is used, your doctor will give you specific instructions about head positioning and activities to avoid.

Many retina surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can return home after the procedure and initial recovery period. Your surgical team will explain what to expect based on the specific procedure you are having.

You will typically receive a call the day before surgery with your arrival time. If your surgery is scheduled for a Monday, you will usually be contacted the Friday before your procedure.

There are several preoperative preparations that must be completed before surgery. This process can take one to two hours.

Because emergency procedures sometimes arise unexpectedly, your surgery may occasionally be delayed. We will do our best to keep you and your family informed if this happens.

Everyone in the operating room will be wearing masks and head coverings to maintain a sterile environment. You will receive sedation to help you relax, and your surgeon will perform the procedure with assistance from the surgical team.

At the end of surgery, antibiotics and an eye patch may be applied.

Sedation is typically used to help you remain comfortable and relaxed during retina surgery. The type of anesthesia or sedation you receive can depend on your procedure and individual medical needs. Your surgical team will discuss your anesthesia plan with you before surgery.

Retina surgery usually takes between 45 minutes and three hours. The exact length of your surgery will depend on the procedure being performed and the complexity of your condition.

Everyone responds differently to anesthesia, and it is common to feel groggy for several hours after surgery. Some patients may feel tired for longer.

You may also experience discomfort once the local anesthesia wears off. Follow the pain-management instructions provided by your surgical team. If your pain becomes severe, worsens, or is not relieved by the recommended medication, please contact us.

Most patients spend approximately one to three hours in the recovery area, depending on the length of the procedure and how they feel afterward.

Some retina surgeries require very small stitches. These typically dissolve on their own within several weeks.

While the stitches are present, you may feel as though something is in your eye and may experience increased tearing or irritation. These symptoms generally improve as the eye heals and the stitches dissolve.

Swelling, bruising, redness, watering, and irritation are common after retina surgery. These symptoms usually improve as your eye heals.

A cool, clean washcloth may help with eyelid discomfort. Your doctor may also recommend applying ice for 20 minutes at a time during the first 48 hours.

If you develop unusual or worsening symptoms, including yellow or pus-like discharge, contact our office immediately.

Your eye patch will usually be removed the day after surgery. Some patients prefer to continue wearing an eye patch temporarily because blurry vision can be distracting. Your doctor can let you know whether this is appropriate for you.

Recovery varies depending on the type of retina surgery and the condition being treated. Many patients gradually increase their activity during the first several weeks, while vision may continue to improve for several months.

Complete healing after some retina surgeries can take up to six months. Your doctor will monitor your progress during follow-up appointments and let you know when you can safely resume different activities.

Your eye patch will be removed and your eye will be examined. It is normal for vision to be very blurry at this visit.

One of the most important reasons for the next-day appointment is to check your eye pressure and make sure there are no complications that require attention. Complications are uncommon, but close follow-up allows us to address potential problems promptly.

Vision recovery after retina surgery is usually gradual. Because retinal conditions can damage the retina before surgery, the final visual outcome can be difficult to predict.

Vision may continue to improve for up to six months. Using your other eye during recovery will not harm the operated eye, although you may notice some eye strain while adjusting.

The outcome of retina surgery depends on the condition being treated and the amount of retinal damage that was present before surgery. In some cases, the goal of surgery is to prevent additional vision loss or preserve the eye rather than restore vision that has already been lost.

It may take weeks or months to fully evaluate the results of your surgery.

Glasses may improve vision after retina surgery, but the amount of improvement depends on the health of the retina. Because the retina is responsible for processing the light entering your eye, glasses cannot always correct vision loss caused by retinal damage.

Your doctor may recommend checking your glasses prescription several months after surgery once your eye has had time to heal.

You will be given instructions for any eye drops you need after surgery. If you are using more than one type of drop, separate them by at least five minutes.

Follow the instructions provided by your surgical team and contact us if you have questions about your medications.

Follow-up care typically begins the day after surgery. Additional appointments may be scheduled the following week and again several weeks later.

Your exact schedule may vary depending on your procedure and how your eye is healing.

Your activity restrictions depend on the type of surgery you have and whether a gas bubble was placed in your eye.

If you do not have special positioning requirements, you may generally be able to read, watch television, use stairs, and perform light activities as directed by your doctor. Avoid heavy lifting and dirty environments while your eye heals.

Always follow the specific postoperative instructions provided by your surgical team.

Some patients need to keep their head in a specific position after surgery because a gas bubble has been placed inside the eye. Positioning helps keep the bubble against the area of the retina that needs support while it heals.

Your doctor will explain exactly how you should position and how long you need to maintain that position.

Many patients take approximately one week off from work, although recovery time varies depending on the procedure, your occupation, and your doctor's recommendations.

If you need special positioning because of a gas bubble, you may need additional time away from work or modifications to your normal routine.

Do not drive until your doctor tells you it is safe. Blurry vision, reduced depth perception, medications, and a gas bubble can affect your ability to drive safely after retinal detachment surgery.

Your doctor can advise you when your vision and recovery have progressed enough to return to driving.

You can bathe after surgery, but you should avoid getting water directly in your eye for the first several days. Follow your doctor's instructions about showering and keeping the eye clean and protected.

It is generally recommended that you wait at least two weeks before swimming. Your doctor may recommend waiting longer depending on how your eye is healing.

Contact us if anything seems unusual after retina surgery, even if you think the problem is minor. Symptoms that require particular attention include:

• Eye pain that is severe, worsening, or not relieved by recommended pain medication
• Pain accompanied by nausea
• Yellow or pus-like discharge
• New or increasing flashes or floaters
• A sudden shadow or curtain over your vision
• Sudden or worsening vision loss

Some discomfort can occur as your eye heals, particularly after the local anesthesia wears off. Pain should generally improve rather than become more severe.

New, persistent, or worsening eye pain weeks or months after retinal detachment surgery or vitrectomy should be evaluated by an eye doctor rather than assumed to be part of normal recovery.

Your vision can change as your eye heals, but new or increasing floaters should always be taken seriously after retina surgery. New floaters, especially when accompanied by flashes of light, a shadow, or worsening vision, can be a warning sign of another retinal problem.

Contact your eye doctor promptly if you notice these symptoms.

There is roughly a 15% chance of developing a retinal detachment in the other eye, although individual risk can vary. Factors such as nearsightedness may increase your risk.

Knowing the warning signs is especially important. Contact an eye doctor promptly if you notice new flashes, floaters, or a shadow or curtain moving across your vision.

If you have questions or notice anything unusual during your recovery, please contact The Eye Care Center at 585-394-2020.

For urgent eye problems, established patients also have access to an ophthalmologist on call after regular office hours.