Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment is an emergency medical condition, as if left untreated, it can lead to total vision loss.
The most important part of the retina is the macula, located at its center, which is responsible for the best possible vision.
If detachment threatens the macula, immediate surgical repair is required. If retinal detachment is diagnosed after the macula has detached, significant vision loss has already occurred, as the macula contains a large number of photoreceptors that lose their connections. Therefore, retinal detachment, which usually occurs in the peripheral retina, should not be allowed to extend to the center, i.e., the macula. Even in such cases, it is necessary to surgically reattach the retina.
If, at the first signs—such as flashes and floaters—the patient visits Dr. Nikolaos Trakos, and a retinal tear is identified without leading to detachment, laser treatment can be performed to seal the tear. This results in scarring and stabilizing the retina in the area of the tear, preventing detachment and ensuring long-term stability.
Dr. Trakos uses the most advanced laser technology, the NAVILAS system, a modern marvel of technology. With the use of navigation and digital design, the laser targets and seals the retinal tear. The laser can recognize even micro-movements of the eye, and if the patient changes their gaze, it stops for safety reasons and resumes when appropriate.
If part of the retina has detached, surgical intervention is required, which can be performed either externally using a silicone graft or internally using an endoscopic method where the vitreous humor is removed (a procedure known as vitrectomy). Both methods yield excellent results and are usually performed under general anesthesia or sedation.
Specifically, the external method is one of the most common approaches to treating retinal detachment. In this method, a silicone graft is sutured to the wall of the eye, at the location of the tear, applying pressure to the retina from outside to inside. This seals the tear and restores the detachment by allowing the body to absorb the subretinal fluid.
As for vitrectomy, it is chosen as a treatment method when certain types of detachment exist, such as tractional detachment (where fibrous tissue due to inflammation or neovascularization pulls and detaches the retina). During this procedure, the vitreous body (the gel that normally fills the eye) is removed. The retina is then flattened using air or heavy liquid and reattached to its original position with an endolaser. Finally, the retina is stabilized in place by injecting a special gas (which is naturally absorbed within a few weeks) or, in more severe cases, silicone oil (which must be surgically removed after a few months). Vitrectomy, with its excellent outcomes, is becoming the preferred method for retinal detachment treatment.