They cannot travel by air during the recovery period because doing so could expand the bubble. Eventually, the bubble absorbs on its own.Īfter the surgery, people should expect about three weeks for recovery. This is necessary to ensure that the bubble stays in place long enough to repair the detached retina. Recoveryįollowing this surgery, people have to maintain a specific head position for several days. This is a technique that promote scar tissue formation. In most cases, cryopexy is used as part of this surgery. Any fluid that did collect before the surgery is naturally absorbed, allowing the retina to attach itself to the eye wall. The bubble works to push the detached portion of the retina so fluid stops flowing into the space behind this structure. The doctor will inject either a gas or air bubble into the vitreous cavity of the eye. It works to reposition the retina and hold it in place until it attaches on its own. This procedure may be done in an office setting unlike other detached retina procedures. For vitrectomy, the recovery time is approximately four to six weeks.For scleral buckling, the recovery time is approximately four to eight weeks.For pneumatic retinopexy, the recovery time is approximately three weeks.The following are the average recovery times for the three primary types of detached retina surgeries: The recovery timeline depends on multiple factors, such as the surgery performed, how many surgeries have been performed on the eye and how they approach the post-surgical period. Vitrectomy involves removing the vitreous and any other tissue that is pulling on the retina. This technique may be used by itself or associated with a vitrectomy. Scleral buckling uses a medical grade silicone material to make the repair. Pneumatic retinopexy utilizes a gas bubble in office to attach the retina to the eye’s inner wall.

The type of surgery a doctor performs depends on the type, location, severity of the retinal detachment, among other factors. The detachment happens when the retina is not in its normal position, which is attached to the underlying pigmented epithelium and vascular perfusion tissue. A retinal detachment can result in permanent vision loss if not addressed.

Face down position after retina surgery