What is Pneumatic Retinopexy?
Pneumatic retinopexy is a minimally invasive, office-based procedure that treats certain types of retinal detachment by injecting a gas bubble into the eye. The bubble pushes the detached retina back against the wall of the eye, where it is sealed with laser or freezing treatment.
Ideal Candidates
Best Results When:
- Single retinal tear in upper portion of eye
- Limited detachment area
- Clear view of the retina
- Patient can maintain positioning
- No proliferative vitreoretinopathy
Advantages
- • Office-based procedure
- • No surgical incisions
- • Faster recovery time
- • Lower cost than vitrectomy
- • Preserves natural eye anatomy
Success Rates
Initial reattachment success
Primary Success
Most patients achieve reattachment with one procedure
Final Success
>95% when combined with additional procedures if needed
Success depends on tear location, size, and patient compliance with positioning.
Procedure Steps
1. Preparation
- Topical anesthesia applied
- Eye thoroughly cleaned
- Positioning for injection
2. Gas Injection
- Small needle inserted through pars plana
- Gas bubble (SF6 or C3F8) injected
- Bubble rises to push retina in place
3. Sealing Treatment
- Laser photocoagulation around tear
- Or cryotherapy (freezing treatment)
- Creates permanent seal
4. Positioning
- Specific head position required
- Keeps bubble against tear
- Critical for success
Recovery Timeline
Day 1-3
Strict positioning, vision very blurry
Week 1-2
Continued positioning, gradual bubble shrinkage
Week 2-6
Bubble dissolves, vision gradually improves
Critical Positioning Requirements
Head Positioning
- Position depends on tear location
- May require face-down positioning
- Or positioning on side
- Must be maintained for 1-2 weeks
- Critical for bubble to work effectively
Important Restrictions
- No air travel while bubble present
- No high altitude travel
- Avoid nitrous oxide anesthesia
- Vision will be very blurry initially
- Cannot drive until bubble clears
Success of the procedure depends entirely on maintaining proper head positioning. Failure to position correctly may result in procedure failure and need for surgery.
Comparison with Other Treatments
| Treatment | Success Rate | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pneumatic Retinopexy | 80-90% | Office procedure, faster recovery | Limited to specific cases |
| Vitrectomy | >90% | Treats complex detachments | Surgery required |
| Scleral Buckle | >90% | Long-term durability | More invasive surgery |
Potential Risks
- • Failure to reattach (10-20% of cases)
- • New retinal tears during healing
- • Cataract development (uncommon)
- • Increased eye pressure (temporary)
- • Infection (extremely rare)
- • Need for additional procedures
Limitations
- • Only suitable for specific tear locations
- • Requires excellent positioning compliance
- • Cannot treat complex detachments
- • Multiple tears may not be treatable
- • Poor success if retina very detached
- • Not suitable for inferior tears
⚠️ Contact Us Immediately If You Experience
- Sudden increase in floaters
- New flashing lights
- Enlarging shadow or curtain
- Significant vision decrease
- Severe eye pain
- Signs of infection
- Inability to maintain positioning
- Any concerning changes
Emergency Contact: (574) 366-0554
Available 24/7 for post-procedure concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
How long must I maintain positioning?
Positioning is typically required for 1-2 weeks, depending on the gas used and your specific case. This is critical for success and cannot be shortened.
Will the procedure hurt?
The injection causes brief discomfort similar to receiving any injection. Most patients tolerate it well with topical anesthesia.
What if the procedure doesn't work?
If pneumatic retinopexy fails, other surgical options like vitrectomy or scleral buckle can be performed with excellent success rates.
Can I work during recovery?
Work capability depends on your job and ability to maintain positioning. Office work may be possible with modifications, but physical jobs require time off.
Questions About Pneumatic Retinopexy?
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