PROCEDURES PERFORMED IN THE OFFICE:
Intravitreal Injection: Injection of medication (i.e. anti-VEGF, steroid, antibiotics) delivered directly into the vitreous. Topical antibiotics are crucial prior to and for several days following this treatment.
Laser: A highly focused beam of light, which can be aimed precisely to burn retinal tissue used for sealing retinal holes or leaking blood vessels. No preparation or medications following laser are generally needed.
PROCEDURE PERFORMED AT SURGERY CENTER OR HOSPITAL:
Cryotherapy: A means of freezing the part of the retina that needs to be treated (i.e. retinal tear) done with a cryoprobe, which is placed on the outside of the eye. Topical antibiotics are often used following this procedure.
Pneumatic Retinopexy: A gas bubble placed into the vitreous cavity. After surgery, the patient is positioned so that the gas bubble rises and pushes the retinal tear against the wall of the eye. Because gas can expand in higher elevations, air-travel is restricted while the gas remains in the eye. The gas takes two to six weeks to disappear. Antibiotics as well as the head positioning are required following this procedure.
Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV): The removal of the vitreous. Used for vitreous hemorrhages, asteroid hyalosis, retinal detachments, epiretinal membranes (macular puckers) and macular holes. Topical antibiotics and other eye drops are needed following surgery.
Retinal Detachment Repair: Often performed via PPV with the addition of laser, cryotherapy, pneumatic retinopexy and/or scleral buckle.
Scleral Buckle: The placement of a permanent silicone band around the outside of the eye to aid in the repair of retinal detachments. Topical antibiotics and other eye drops are needed following surgery.
Membranectomy (Membrane peel): the removal of epiretinal membranes from the surface of the retina.
Macular Hole Repair: Done via PPV and membranectomy, often a gas bubble is placed in the eye following the removal of the vitreous to act as a pressure bandage to help seal the hole. The patient must be in a facedown position following surgery to keep the gas over the macula.