Vitreoretinal eye surgery

Vitreoretinal Eye Surgery—The Non-Invasive Laser Alternative to the Eye-patch

Why Choose Laser Eye Surgery?

Where is the retina? Retinas are in the back of our eyes and are responsible for perceiving color. Their job of color collecting is often confused with the colorful green, blue or brown irises, which actually collects light and are a visibly large aspect of what defines an individual’s beauty. Vitreous, the other aspect of vitreoretinal eye surgery, is the gel that makes up 2/3 (some researches pin the percentage at a higher 4/5) of the eyeball’s mass. The vitreous is the gooey center, the “meat”in between a retina and lens sandwich--it is almost completely water, but 1% protein. Vitreous hemorrhage, or surging of the gel toward the lens, can cause various and sundry eye ailments. The vitreous itself can also become infected by oozing blood from surrounding vessels—any of these ailments can potentially cause blindness, which is why eye disease and eye injury patients look to vitreoretinal eye surgery for solutions. Here are just a few specific eye ailments that can help an individual regain their normal focus…

Retinal Detachment, Rips and Holes Cured by Vitreoretinal Eye Surgery

Retinal detachment is a rare condition that vitreoretinal eye surgery can solve; detached retinas affect only 5 in 100,000 individuals every year. It occurs when scar tissue forces the retina to detach from the rear of the eye. Considering the rarity of developing scar tissue, how does it occur on the eye? Scar tissue impeding the retina can potentially occur after a cataract surgery, so it’s imperative that you pursue routine follow-ups after your optical surgical operation!

Don’t Let Your Corneas Throw You a Curve

Aside from pre-existing conditions like astigmatism, inflamed eyelids and eyeballs due to an allergic reaction, some patients could experience keratoconus, a condition of a curved cornea that could impede their laser eye surgery by throwing it an unexpected curve.

Macular Degeneration, Retinal Detachment and the Vitreoretinal Eye Surgery Solution?

Retinal detachment can also occur as a result of macular degeneration. Macular degeneration can occur in the blood flow to the retina (the choroid). If cellular debris clots this blood flow, vision can abruptly go from high-functioning to extremely blurry, as if you’re looking through 6 inch thick fly goggles. Excess blood vessels can also crowd the choroid, which can lead to retinal detachment. Both macular degeneration and retinal detachment can lead to extremely blurred and impaired vision, but don’t necessarily cause blindness—certainly, those afflicted are considered legally blind, are unable to operate a vehicle, and cannot read without the aid of a microfiche-like book scanner. Vitreoretinal eye surgery can eliminate these blood vessels or excess cells to help give an elderly person their sight back; vitreoretinal eye surgery is also an option for a preventative procedure in a minor eye infection that can prevent a patient from ever developing such harrowing, blinding symptoms.

A Hole In the Sky—Macular Holes and Retinal Tears

We don’t usually see holes in the skyline or tears on the horizon (unless you’re reading A Wrinkle in Time), but having a macular hole or retinal rip could be just as disorienting. The symptoms of a retinal tear are most commonly seeing “flashers or floaters” in your line of sight—same goes for macular holes. Optometrist and opthamologists are able to “weld” these holes and tears with the use of a laser, ingeniously eliminating the need for invasive surgery. Vitreoretinal eye surgery commonly uses lasers for this practices, patching up holes that can prevent your much needed vitreous gel from spreading and causing a blinding infection.

Diabetic Retinopathy Cured by Vitreoretinal Eye Surgery

Pan retinal photocoagulation, a type of vitreoretinal eye surgery, is frequently used for the diabetic eye ailment retinopathy. Retinopathy is characterized by the irregular growth of blood vessels within the eye, which should ideally be kept free and clear. When these small blood vessels grow, the vitreous gel oozes out into the retina and blood oozes into the vitreous gel.

Retinopathy isn’t the only affliction affecting diabetics. A very similar ailment can afflict diabetics who suffer from glaucoma—blood vessels put pressure on their eye, which harm the optic nerve. They can also potentially suffer from the eye ailment of cataracts, but vitreoretinal eye surgery isn’t commonly used to treat it—a vitrectomy is.

Is Vitreoretinal Eye Surgery for You?

Call to find out! Vitreoretinal eye surgery may be your best option if you suffer from a debilitating eye disease. Relative to sky high invasive surgery costs, the laser procedures can save you a high price as well as a disruptive recovery period. To learn how vitreoretinal eye surgery can free your vision, call the toll-free number listed on this screen or click on the contact form for more today!