Retinal care — precise, and fast when it needs to be

When should you see a retina specialist urgently?

These signs may indicate a retinal detachment or bleed and need examination the same day or the next day:

• Repeated flashes of light, especially in the periphery of vision.
• A sudden shower of floaters — often described as "a web" or "flies" across the eye.
• A shadow or curtain covering part of the vision (from the side or from below).
• Sudden loss of vision, partial or total.
• Distortion of straight lines (they appear wavy or broken).

Every hour of delay can cost retinal cells. If these symptoms appear, seek ophthalmic review immediately.

Conditions we treat

Retinal detachment

Separation of the retinal layer from the eye wall. Surgical options include:

• Pars Plana Vitrectomy: removing the vitreous and reattaching the retina with gas or silicone oil.
• Scleral Buckling: an external silicone band around the eye.
• Pneumatic Retinopexy: an intraocular gas bubble, in selected cases.

Vitreous hemorrhage

Most often caused by proliferative diabetic retinopathy or a retinal tear. Management may involve observation, intravitreal injection, laser, or vitrectomy — depending on the cause and response to treatment.

Macular hole

A small defect at the centre of vision causing a central blind spot or blur. Surgery involves removal of the internal limiting membrane (ILM peeling) followed by an intraocular gas bubble — typically with face-down positioning for several days after surgery.

Epiretinal membrane

A thin sheet that grows on the surface of the macula and distorts vision. Treatment is surgical peeling of this membrane during vitrectomy.

Diabetic retinopathy

One of the leading causes of vision loss in diabetic patients. Management is multimodal:

• Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) laser for proliferative disease.
• Intravitreal injections for macular edema.
• Vitrectomy for non-clearing hemorrhage or tractional detachment.

How the surgery is done

Modern retinal surgery is performed via:

• Three microscopic ports in the white of the eye (0.4–0.6 mm) that usually need no sutures.
• Local anesthesia (most cases) or general anesthesia when indicated.
• An advanced surgical microscope and modern imaging system.
• Performed at Ferdaws Eye Hospital, Zagazig.

Important note

Vitreoretinal surgery is one of the finest subspecialties in ophthalmology. Treatment planning depends on direct examination, OCT imaging, and the required investigations — a diagnosis and plan cannot be made online.