As with cataract surgery, retinal operations are performed through tiny openings in the eye (0.6-0.8mm), 3mm lateral to the iris. Using a special operating microscope, a system that stabilizes intraocular pressure, and a specialized illumination device, the interior of the eye is displayed three-dimensionally at high magnification.
First, the gelatinous vitreous body is removed. Then—depending on the condition—holes and tears are closed and, if necessary, sealed with a laser. Membranes are marked with special dyes and then removed with fine forceps. To stabilize the retina until complete healing, a tamponade substance is sometimes introduced into the eye at the end of the operation. This may be a special gas that naturally escapes from the eye after one to several weeks and is replaced by the eye itself with fluid. Or—if longer-term tamponade is required—silicone oil, which stabilizes the retina until it is removed from the eye in a subsequent operation. In cases of bleeding beneath the retina (subretinal hemorrhage), for example, a special medication to dissolve the blood clot is applied on and beneath the retina, and then the bleeding is displaced with a tamponade.