This page contains health-related information for reference only. It is not medical advice. Read full disclaimer
ophthalmology
Retinal Surgery
Eye surgery, also known as ophthalmic surgery or ocular surgery, is surgery performed on the eye or its adnexa. Eye surgery is part of ophthalmology and is performed by an ophthalmologist or eye surgeon.
Quick Facts
- Price range
- Varies by clinic
- Recovery
- Varies
- Sessions
- Varies
- Category
- ophthalmology
- Anaesthesia
- Varies
- Min. stay abroad
- Varies
- Price Range (International)
- Varies by clinic
- Average Recovery
- Varies
- Typical Sessions
- Varies
- Category
- ophthalmology
Overview
Retinal surgery describes operations on the retina at the back of the eye and the jelly (vitreous) inside the eye. A common reason for it is a detached retina, which happens when the retina becomes loose; this needs to be treated quickly to stop it permanently affecting sight. Several techniques are used, depending on the problem. In a vitrectomy, the jelly inside the eye is removed and replaced. Scleral buckling attaches a small band around the eye to push its wall and the retina closer together. Pneumatic retinopexy injects a bubble of gas into the eye to push the retina back against the inner wall, and laser treatment or freezing (cryotherapy) can be used to seal a tear in the retina. These procedures are often done under local anaesthetic and usually do not require an overnight stay, though the eye may need to be held in a particular position for up to a week afterwards. Recovery generally takes a few weeks, during which vision can be blurred, and anyone who has had a gas bubble placed in the eye may need to avoid flying until the gas bubble has cleared, as directed by the surgeon.
*Reference text adapted from NHS (detached retina) under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Verify with a qualified clinician before treatment.*
Key Considerations
Common Risks
Credentials a clinic should hold
Specialty-board certifications and facility-level accreditations relevant to this procedure. Verify on the issuer's public register before booking — most issuers publish a searchable directory.
National ophthalmology board
Issuer Country-specific (e.g. ABO in US, FRCOphth in UK, EBO in Europe)
Specialty-board certification in ophthalmology covering medical and surgical eye care.
Verify on the issuer's register →
Current clinical trials
Ongoing research studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov whose intervention involves retinal surgery. This is a neutral pointer to public research — not an endorsement, not a recruitment drive, and not medical advice. Trial status changes often; confirm eligibility and current status with the study team via each record.
- Not yet recruitingObservational· Started 2026-07-15Perioperative Hypoglycemia in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Vitrectomy: a Masked CGM Prospective Observational StudyNCT07696910· Yonsei University· Diabetes Mellitus, Hypoglycemia
- Active, not recruitingInterventional· Started 2025-12-08Ocular Hypotony and Refractive Predictability in RRD SurgeryNCT07283614· Kazakh Eye Research Institute· Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment, Hypotony Ocular
- RecruitingInterventional· Started 2025-09-01Clinical Evaluation of With or Without Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane Surgery: A Randomized Controlled TrialNCT07142785· Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University· Idiopathic Epiretinal Membranes
- RecruitingInterventional· Started 2025-06-10Post-surgical Functional Results in Patients With Epiretinal Membrane Undergoing Controlled Macular DetachmentNCT07095907· Asociación para Evitar la Ceguera en México· Epiretinal Membrane Surgery
- Not yet recruitingPhase 2Interventional· Started 2025-03Intravitreal Topotecan for Prevention or Treatment of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy in Retinal DetachmentNCT06818721· Unity Health Toronto· Retinal Detachment Rhegmatogenous, Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy
- RecruitingInterventional· Started 2025-01-01Early Vitrectomy vs PRP in Early Proliferative Diabetic RetinopathyNCT07586787· Xiamen Ophthalmology Center Affiliated to Xiamen University· Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)
Showing 6 recent ongoing studies. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov — all matching trials (U.S. National Library of Medicine, public domain). Retrieved 2026-08-02.
Recovery Timeline
Average recovery for Retinal Surgery is 0 days. Individual recovery varies — always follow your surgeon’s specific guidance.
- 01Day 0–1
Immediate
First 24–48 hours post-procedure. Monitoring, anaesthesia recovery, initial pain management. Most clinics expect you to remain on-site or nearby.
- 02Day 2–2
Early recovery
Wound care, swelling or bruising peaks, restricted activity. Typical window for follow-up visits and drain removal if applicable. Travel is usually not advised.
- 03Day 3–3
Intermediate recovery
Gradual return to non-strenuous daily activity. Many international patients fly home during this window. Surgeon may require medical clearance for long-haul travel.
- 04Day 4–0
Full recovery
Return to full activity, exercise, and work. Final results may still be settling. Final follow-up with local doctor recommended.
Questions to Ask Your Clinic
Browse all destinations offering Retinal Surgery →Detailed cost breakdown →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is retinal surgery?
Retinal surgery, also called vitreoretinal surgery, refers to a group of procedures used to treat conditions affecting the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. It is used for problems such as a detached or torn retina and other conditions affecting the retina and the vitreous gel inside the eye. The specific operation depends on the underlying condition.
What types of retinal surgery are there?
Common procedures include vitrectomy, in which the vitreous gel is removed to allow the surgeon to work on the retina; scleral buckling and pneumatic retinopexy, used to reattach a detached retina; and laser treatment or cryotherapy to seal retinal tears. A surgeon selects the appropriate technique for the patient's condition. Sometimes more than one method is combined.
Who is a typical candidate?
It is generally considered for people with retinal conditions that threaten vision, such as a detached or torn retina or certain problems involving the vitreous or macula. Some conditions, such as retinal detachment, are treated urgently to try to preserve sight. An ophthalmologist determines whether and when surgery is needed.
How is retinal surgery performed?
Depending on the procedure, it may be carried out under local or general anaesthesia. In some operations a gas bubble or silicone oil is placed inside the eye to help hold the retina in position while it heals, which may require the patient to keep a specific head position afterwards. Laser procedures are often less invasive than surgery inside the eye.
What does recovery generally involve?
Recovery varies by procedure and can include a period during which vision is blurred while the eye heals. When a gas bubble is used, patients are usually advised to maintain a particular head position and to avoid air travel until it has dissolved, as directed by the surgeon. Follow-up appointments are used to monitor healing.
What are the main risks, and what does it cost?
Recognised risks include infection, bleeding, raised pressure inside the eye, cataract formation, and the possibility that the retina does not fully reattach and needs further surgery. Outcomes depend on the condition being treated and how early it is addressed, so results are not the same for everyone. Cost varies by clinic and country; see the destinations listed for this procedure.
Related Procedures
Other ophthalmology procedures in our registry