eye disorders
Detachment of the Retina
Treatment of a Detached Retina
Surgical repair For detachments caused by fluid leakage and without a retinal break, drugs Most retinal detachments can be repaired. The surgeon seals retinal breaks with laser surgery or freezing therapy (cryotherapy). For large retinal detachments, the surgeon may bring the retina and the wall of the eye together either by placing a silicone band around the eye (called a scleral buckle) or by removing the vitreous jelly behind the lens and in front of the retina with surgery called a vitrectomy. A gas bubble is often used to hold the retina in place. For small detachments, laser surgery can prevent the retina from detaching more, or the retina can be reattached using cryotherapy plus a gas bubble (called pneumatic retinopexy). Detachments that are caused by a disease that affects the retina (such as diabetes) can be treated with a vitrectomy. Detachments that are caused by fluid leakage and that do not involve a retinal break may be treated with corticosteroids or drugs that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants such asmethotrexateandazathioprine) taken by mouth. Corticosteroids can also be given as an injected implant into the eye that slowly releases constant levels of a corticosteroid. 