If you have retinal detachment, you may want to talk to an eye surgeon Santa Ana CA trusts from The Retina Associates of Orange County about vitrectomy. This surgical procedure removes vitreous gel from the eye to repair the retinal detachment. The eye surgeons at The Retina Associates of Orange County are skilled and experienced with vitrectomy surgery. We always put the best interests of our clients first.
How is a Vitrectomy Performed?
A vitrectomy surgery is typically performed in a hospital and takes approximately two to three hours to complete. An eye surgeon in Santa Ana CA may remove vitreous gel from your eye with small instruments through tiny incisions. You will likely receive local anesthesia, so you will be awake during the surgery but won’t feel any pain. In rare cases, general anesthesia may be administered.
Once the surgery is done, your eye surgeon Santa Ana CA respects may inject a gas bubble in the eye so that the retina presses against the wall of your eye. The gas bubble becomes smaller over time and eventually disappears completely.
Recovering from a Vitrectomy
In order to fully recover from vitrectomy and reduce complications, it is important to take good care of yourself after the surgery. Here are some recovery tips to follow:
- Keep Your Head in a Consistent Position: Make sure your head stays in a consistent position for a while so that the gas bubble does not push against the detachment.
- Use Medication as Directed: Your eye surgeon Santa Ana CA counts may prescribe medication to ease swelling and discomfort. Take the medication as directed to address these side effects.
- Avoid Strenuous Activities: It is recommended to avoid doing strenuous activities, such as lifting weights, during the recovery period. Doing so may slow down the healing process and it could even hurt your eyes.
- Get Plenty of Rest: Proper rest is required for a speedy recovery from vitrectomy surgery. Make sure to get at least eight hours of sleep a night and take naps when needed.
- Attend Follow Up Visits: After your surgery, your Santa Ana CA eye surgeon may schedule several follow up visits to track your progress. If you have been experiencing any serious side effects, such as loss of vision or light flashes in your vision, be sure to tell your doctor.
- Do Not Smoke: If you are a smoker, you may be asked to stop doing it while you are still recovering from your eye surgery. Smoking cigarettes can increase complications and prolong the recovery process.
Setting Up a Consultation With an Eye Surgeon
During a consultation, an eye surgeon Santa Ana CA depends on may explain vitrectomy surgery in detail, ask questions about your medical history, and determine if you are a suitable candidate for the surgery. Do not hesitate to ask the surgeon any questions you have about the surgery.
Vitrectomy surgery may improve your retinal detachment. For more information about this surgery, or to speak with an eye surgeon Santa Ana CA offers about another vision concern, contact The Retina Associates of Orange County at 714-500-8677.