Having Pneumatic Retinopexy
Pneumatic retinopexy is a procedure to correct a detached retina. It helps to bring back vision. It uses a special tool to repair the retina, and a small bubble of gas to hold the retina in place so it can heal.
What to tell your healthcare provider
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take. This includes over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen. It also includes vitamins, herbs, and other supplements. And tell your healthcare provider if you:
-
Have had any recent changes in your health, such as an infection or fever
-
Are sensitive or allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, or anesthesia (local and general)
-
Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
Tests before your procedure
You will need some exams before your procedure. Your healthcare provider may use special tools to shine a light in your eye and look at your retina. You will need to have your eyes dilated for the eye exam. You also may have an ultrasound of your eye. This helps your healthcare provider look at the detached retina.
Getting ready for your procedure
Talk with your healthcare provider about how to get ready for your procedure. You may need to stop taking some medicines before the procedure, such as blood thinners and aspirin. If you smoke, you may need to stop before your procedure. Smoking can delay healing. Talk with your healthcare provider if you need help to stop smoking.
Also, make sure to:
-
Ask a family member or friend to take you home from the hospital. You can't drive yourself.
-
Follow any directions you are given for not eating or drinking before your procedure.
-
Follow all other instructions from your healthcare provider.
You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully. Ask questions before you sign if something is not clear.
On the day of your procedure
The procedure is done in an eye doctor’s office. Your eye doctor will tell you what to expect during your procedure. A typical procedure goes like this:
-
You will likely be awake during the surgery. You may get medicine to help you relax. The healthcare provider will use anesthetic eye drops to make sure you don’t feel anything. Your healthcare provider may inject another anesthetic around your eye.
-
The healthcare provider will use eye drops to dilate your pupil. It will stay dilated for several hours after the procedure.
-
Your healthcare provider may use a syringe to remove some fluid from inside your eye.
-
Your healthcare provider will inject a bubble into the area near your retina. They will use an ophthalmoscope to make sure the air bubble is in the right place.
-
The healthcare provider will use a very cold tool to help seal around all tears in your retina.
-
The healthcare provider will put antibiotic ointment on your eye. This is to help prevent infection.
-
A patch may be put on your eye.
After your procedure
Ask your healthcare provider about what you should expect after your procedure. Plan to have someone go home with you after the procedure.
Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about eye care. You may need to take eye drops with antibiotics to help prevent infection. Your eye may be a little sore after the procedure, but you should be able to take over-the-counter pain medicines. You may need to wear an eye patch for a day or so.
Recovering at home
Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about how to position your head after the procedure. This will help to prevent problems. You may need to keep a certain position for 8 hours per day or more for a week or two after your procedure. You should not travel by airplane until the gas bubble has gone away. Ask your healthcare provider when it will be safe for you to fly again.
Follow-up care
You will need close follow-up care with your healthcare provider to see how the procedure worked. You may have an appointment the day after the procedure. If the procedure doesn’t work, you may need to have surgery.
When to call your healthcare provider
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these: