FAQs and their Answers on Vitrectomy

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f you or your family member is suffering from a retinal disease, you may have heard about vitrectomy from your eye doctor. But what exactly is vitrectomy? Is it safe? These are some of the questions that may be bothering you. To help you, our eye surgeons in Kolkata, have answered some of the frequently asked questions: 

Question 1: What is vitrectomy?

Vitreous is the gel-like substance that fills the central portion of the eye. Vitrectomy is an eye surgery that is performed to treat the vitreous in the eye and other problems related to the retina. In this surgery, the damaged vitreous is replaced with another solution. 

Question 2: When might I need a vitrectomy?

 Vitrectomy is recommended in the case of: 

  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Retinal detachment
  • Vitreous haemorrhage
  • To take biopsy to detect a serious Infection in the eye
  • Fatal eye injury

When these eye conditions are left unchecked, they may lead to complete loss of vision. Hence, vitrectomy is performed. 

Question 3: What happens at a pre-assessment appointment?

The doctor will explain the details of the surgery. You may be asked to get some necessary tests done such as ECG and blood tests. The doctor will ask you to provide information on your general health and the medications you are currently taking. 

Question 4: How do I prepare for a vitrectomy?

You can prepare for a vitrectomy by: 

  1. By asking your doctor whether you need to stop taking any medication before the surgery
  2. By avoiding eating after midnight before the surgery

Question 5: What happens during a vitrectomy?

Normally during a vitrectomy surgery:

  • Vitrectomy is usually performed under general anaesthesia. However, in some cases, the surgery is performed under local anaesthesia.
  • The surgeon will make small cuts in the sclera, that is the white part of the eye.
  • The vitreous is gently taken out along with any scar tissue present or any foreign material present from the eye.
  • The vitreous is then replaced with fluids such as silicone oil or saline.
  • For diabetes, any leaking blood vessels are sealed using laser treatment.
  • The surgical incisions are now covered with stitches.
  • An antibiotic ointment is then placed on your eye to prevent infection.
  • At the end, a patch is used to cover the eye.

Question 6: What are some important  things to take into consideration after surgery? 

  • On the day of operation, wear loose fitting clothes to avoid contact with the eye when getting dressed.
  • You will be prescribed different eye drops. Use them as advised.
  • In some cases, you may be advised to keep your head tilted downwards for 4-14 days. 

Question 7: What are the risks of vitrectomy?

Vitrectomy is mostly a safe and common eye surgery. However, just like any other surgery, there are some risks involved.  Some people may experience:

  • Infection
  • Excess bleeding
  • High pressure in the eye
  • Retinal detachment caused by the surgery
  • Lens damage
  • Increase in the formation of cataracts
  • Limited eye movement
  • Change in refractive error

Note:  The risks may depend on your age, your medical conditions, and your eye problem.

Question 7: Where can I find a good eye surgeon in kolkata?

Visit Disha Eye Hospitals. We have some of the best eye surgeons in Kolkata on board. Our retina specialist and eye surgeons will work together to recommend the appropriate course of treatment. You can also book an online consultation

 

Questions to Ask Your Child’s Eye Doctor

Good eyesight is important for children of all ages. Eye health is important for children’s academic as well as social development. Early education is based on visual aids and colours. As the children’s eyes are in developing stages, any problem detected early can have better chances of treatment. Therefore, parents should ensure that their child’s eyes are healthy. As parents, you should take your child for annual eye examinations. To make the most out of your appointment with your child’s eye doctor, it is important that you ask relevant and important questions. 

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Here we share with you questions that you can ask your child’s eye doctor: 

1. Questions Related to General Paediatric Eye Exams: Many children have vision problems but are not easy to to notice. Here are some general paediatric questions that you could ask the doctor: 

  • Is my child showing any kind of symptoms for any eye problem?
  • How to identify symptoms that my child may be suffering from?
  • How frequently should we perform our child’s eye test?
  • Does my child require prescription glasses because of the condition?

2. Questions about Eye Conditions: Treatment and frequency of appointments will vary depending on whether your child has an eye condition or not. However, if your child shows signs of an eye condition, it needs to be addressed by a paediatric ophthalmologist. Knowing about your child’s eye condition can help you give better support to your child. Some of the questions that you can ask regarding eye conditions are: 

  • Can you explain the condition of the eye?
  • Is the effect taking place in one or both eyes?
  • What could have developed this eye condition?
  • Is my child’s vision normal right now?
  • Will this eye condition worsen with age?

This knowledge can help families understand more about their child’s eye condition. 

3. Questions Regarding Treatment: If your child is suffering from an eye condition, it is important that he or she gets appropriate treatment. Treatment options could be

  • Prescription glasses
  • Eye drops
  • Medication
  • Surgery or patching

Knowing the details regarding the treatment will help you to make a proper decision with the eye doctor for your child. Here are some of the questions that you can ask your child’s eye doctor regarding treatment:

  • What are the best options to treat this eye problem?
  • Are there any side effects caused by this treatment?
  • Besides treatment, what more can I do to help my child’s eye condition get better?

It is necessary for you to have proper information regarding your child’s eye treatment from credible sources, especially from your child’s eye doctor. 

4. Questions to Learn how Conditions may Affect your Child :  Paediatric eye conditions can cause a lot of problems in your child’s life. For instance, strabismus can cause double vision or lazy eye can cause problems in one or both eyes and the development of normal vision is disrupted. Refractive errors in children can make it difficult for them to study as they may struggle to see things clearly. 

Here are some questions you can ask to gain a better understanding of the situation if your child has an eye condition: 

  • Are there other problems associated with this eye problem?
  • Will my child face limitations because of the eye condition?
  • Will this eye condition affect my child’s day to day life?

Looking for a Paediatric Eye Surgeon in Kolkata?

We, at Disha Eye Hospitals, have a dedicated paediatric ophthalmology unit.
Our paediatric eye specialists and eye surgeons diagnose and treat strabismus, paediatric cataract, retinopathy of prematurity, paediatric glaucoma and other paediatric eye problems.