Retinal Surgery
Retinal surgery repairs problems affecting the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, to preserve or restore sight. It treats conditions such as retinal detachment, macular holes, scar tissue on the retina (epiretinal membrane) and bleeding from diabetic eye disease, most often using a microsurgical technique called vitrectomy.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
The retina works like the film in a camera, capturing the image the eye focuses on it. When it is damaged, torn, detached or distorted, vision is lost or blurred, and prompt treatment can be sight-saving — a retinal detachment, in particular, is an emergency. The most common operation is vitrectomy, in which the surgeon uses very fine instruments through tiny openings to remove the gel that fills the eye (the vitreous), repair the retina, and often place a gas bubble or oil to hold it in position while it heals.
Specific procedures address specific problems: reattaching a detached retina, closing a macular hole, peeling scar tissue (an epiretinal membrane) from the macula, or treating bleeding and traction from diabetic retinopathy. Laser treatment is sometimes combined with surgery to seal tears or treat abnormal blood vessels. The exact approach depends on the diagnosis and how urgent it is.
When a gas bubble is used, you may need to hold a particular head position for a period afterwards, and air travel is restricted until the gas has absorbed — important for international patients to plan around. The coordinator arranges surgery and follow-up, and our specialists can review your reports and imaging remotely to advise on urgency and the best approach.
Who is a candidate?
- People with a detached or torn retina, which often needs urgent treatment to save sight
- Patients with a macular hole or scar tissue (epiretinal membrane) distorting central vision
- Those with bleeding or traction in the eye from diabetic retinopathy
- People with certain other retinal conditions where surgery can preserve or restore vision
- Patients seeking an expert opinion on whether and how urgently surgery is needed
What happens
- 1
Assessment
A detailed eye examination and retinal imaging (such as OCT) confirm the diagnosis and how urgent treatment is, and define exactly which procedure is needed.
- 2
Preparation
You are prepared for local or general anesthesia, and your ophthalmologist explains the procedure, whether a gas bubble or oil will be used, and any head positioning required afterwards.
- 3
The procedure
Through tiny openings, the surgeon performs a vitrectomy — removing the vitreous gel, repairing the retina, peeling membranes or sealing tears — and may place a gas bubble or oil and use laser as needed.
- 4
Early recovery
Most patients go home the same day or after one night. If a gas bubble was used, you follow positioning instructions and avoid air travel until the gas has absorbed.
- 5
Follow-up
Follow-up tracks healing and the return of vision, which can take weeks to months. International patients receive an aftercare plan and guidance on when it is safe to fly.
Benefits
- Can be sight-saving, particularly for a detached retina treated promptly
- Repairs a range of retinal problems — detachment, macular holes, membranes and diabetic complications
- Modern small-gauge vitrectomy uses tiny openings, often without stitches
- Can restore or stabilize central vision distorted by a macular hole or membrane
- Laser can be combined with surgery to seal tears and treat abnormal vessels
Risks & considerations
- Vision recovery is gradual and may be partial, depending on the condition and its severity
- Development or progression of a cataract after vitrectomy, sometimes needing later surgery
- Raised eye pressure or, uncommonly, infection or further detachment, which are monitored for
- If a gas bubble is used, a period of head positioning and no air travel until it absorbs
- Some conditions, especially long-standing detachment, may not regain full vision
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Eye Diseases & Laser Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Retinal Surgery — frequently asked questions
It treats conditions at the back of the eye such as retinal detachment, macular holes, scar tissue on the retina (epiretinal membrane), and bleeding or traction from diabetic eye disease — to preserve or restore sight.
Yes. A retinal detachment usually needs prompt treatment to give the best chance of saving sight. If you notice a sudden shower of floaters, flashing lights or a shadow across your vision, seek urgent ophthalmic care.
If a gas bubble is placed in the eye to hold the retina in position while it heals, your surgeon may ask you to keep a specific head posture for a period. You also cannot fly until the gas has absorbed, which is important to plan for.
Yes. Share your reports and retinal imaging and our specialists advise on the diagnosis, how urgent treatment is, and the best approach, before you commit to travel.
Surgery is often a day case or one night, but if a gas bubble is used you must stay until it is safe to fly, plus follow-up checks — your coordinator confirms the plan. We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your case rather than a fixed online price.
Related treatments
Considering retinal surgery?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.