Will I need to use eye drops after the operation?
Drops are prescribed to be used for several weeks following the procedure. Additional drops will be prescribed if the pressure in your eye is found to be excessively high at any point.
Will I experience pain after the operation?
There may be some discomfort initially which generally becomes less on a day-by-day basis. Simple oral analgesia such as paracetamol for a few days is usually sufficient, if required. It is common to experience mild itching for 1-2 weeks following surgery.
Will I need to posture after the operation?
After vitrectomy for diabetic retinal detachment, posturing may not be necessary or you may be advised to posture for a few hours looking down towards the floor (prone positioning). After that, the instructions for posturing will depend on the location and number of any retinal breaks found during your operation. Posturing, if required, will typically be for 7 days. Instructions will be given in
What can I expect during the operation?
After the anaesthetic is administered, your eye and face will be covered with a sterile drape. The whole vitrectomy operation will then be performed through 3 tiny incisions. You will hear vibrating noises throughout much of the procedure from the vitrectomy machine. You will not be able to see details of what is happening but
How can I reduce the risk of losing vision or going blind from diabetes?
Attend all your eye checks with your optician and diabetic retinopathy service on time as recommended. This is the most effective way to detect sight-threatening conditions. Your sight can usually be saved with early detection and treatment. Good diabetic control will significantly reduce your risk of severe diabetic retinopathy and blindness. However, even with good
What are the risks of vitrectomy surgery for proliferative and advanced diabetic retinopathy?
Residual or rebleeding within the eye. This occurs commonly but usually self-clears from the eye, and much more rapidly than before surgery. I perform additional steps in the operation to maximise the chances of self-clearing of any recurrent bleeds. Retinal detachment. The risk of this is less than 1% but would require further vitrectomy surgery, and may result in worse vision.
How are intravitreal injections for diabetic macular oedema performed and what are the risks?
These are generally performed in a sterile “clean” room. You will have a combination of anaesthetic and antiseptic drops instilled in the eye in order to make the procedure as comfortable as possible and to minimise the risk of infection. The eye will be covered and a small sterile speculum used to keep your eyelids apart. A small volume of an antiVEGFsolution such
What does laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy or macular oedema involve and what are the risks?
This procedure is performed in the eye clinic and does not involve surgery as such. Eye drops will be instilled in your eyes to anaesthetise the eyes, dilate the pupils and allowvisualisation of your retina. A special focussing lens is then placed on the eye and laser delivered gently using a specially designed retinal laser machine. You will experience brightflashing lights during the procedure
What are the benefits of vitrectomy surgery for diabetic retinopathy?
The clear benefit of surgery for vitreous haemorrhage is the rapid clearance of vitreous blood and accelerated restoration of vision. Surgery for retinal detachment is important to prevent loss of central and/or total vision in the eye, or to restore vision when it has been lost. The degree of improvement in vision from surgery will be dependent on multiple factors including the degree of irreversible
What do I do if I have any urgent concerns before or after the operation?
At all stages of your treatment pathway, you will receive my direct access telephone number. This will negate the need to go via any third party, such as a secretary or the hospital, in order to obtain any routine or urgent advice. I will be available 7 days a week for you in this regard.