Normalising the Need for Eye Surgery

Taking care of our eyesight is no easy feat as not everyone is blessed with 20/20 vision. However, as technology gets more advanced, many procedures can now be done to improve our eyesight. One of the many procedures available is vitreoretinal surgery.

Dr Ling Kiet Phang, consultant ophthalmologist at Columbia Asia Hospital – Iskandar Puteri, explains that vitreoretinal surgery is a group of procedures that are performed to treat eye problems involving the retina, macula and vitreous fluid. Procedures include vitrectomy, scleral buckling and intravitreal injection.

“One of the most common procedures is vitrectomy, where three micro-cannulas are inserted through the conjunctiva and sclera (white of the eye), to enable fine instruments to enter the eye,” says Dr Ling.

Different eye conditions require different type of procedures. Dr Ling says that there are five major conditions that require patients to undergo a vitrectomy such as vitreous haemorrhage, retinal detachment, macular surface disease, intraocular inflammation and dropped lens from primary cataract surgery.

While it is normal for patients to be worried about the outcome of certain procedures, Dr Ling assures patients that the success rate for this surgery is relatively high. “Vitrectomy is a fairly routine surgery and can usually be performed safely as an outpatient procedure. With the improvements in surgical techniques and advancement in instrumentation, vitreoretinal surgery has evolved rapidly over past decades.”

Other than the success rate, side effects as well as recovery time are also cause for concern for patients. Complications can include bleeding, infection, cataract and retinal detachment. Dr Ling says that while the success rate is high, the complications from vitrectomy are relatively unusual.