At Mahajan Eye Centre, we treat a variety of complex vitreo-retinal diseases using state-of-the-art technology and advanced surgical techniques. Conditions such as vitreous haemorrhage, macular hole, macular pucker, endophthalmitis, complications of cataract surgery like IOL drop and nucleus drop, and severe eye injuries require prompt intervention to preserve and restore vision.
Vitreous haemorrhage occurs when blood leaks into the vitreous, the clear gel that fills the eye. The blood obstructs light from reaching the retina, leading to blurred vision or vision loss.
Causes of Vitreous Haemorrhage:
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Weak, abnormal blood vessels in the retina rupture, leading to bleeding into the vitreous.
- Retinal Tears or Detachments: Tears in the retina can result in bleeding.
- Eye Trauma: Injuries to the eye can cause blood vessels to break.
- Retinal Vascular Diseases: Conditions such as retinal vein occlusion can lead to haemorrhage in the vitreous.
Symptoms of Vitreous Haemorrhage:
- Sudden onset of floaters or dark spots in the field of vision.
- Blurry or hazy vision.
- Vision that appears as though you're looking through cobwebs or smoke.
Diagnosis:
- Dilated Eye Examination: To examine the retina for any tears or detachments.
- Ultrasound B-scan: If the blood obscures the view of the retina, ultrasound can be used to detect retinal tears or detachment behind the blood.
Treatment:
- Vitrectomy: Surgery is often required to remove the blood from the vitreous cavity and treat the underlying cause (e.g., retinal tears). This restores vision by clearing the vitreous and allowing the retina to receive light once more.
A macular hole is a small break or hole in the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for detailed vision. This condition typically affects older adults and can cause significant central vision loss if untreated.
Symptoms:
- Blurry or distorted central vision.
- A small dark or gray spot in the center of your vision.
- Difficulty reading or recognizing faces.
Diagnosis
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): This non-invasive imaging test provides detailed cross-sectional images of the retina and can confirm the presence and severity of a macular hole.
Treatment
- Vitrectomy: During the surgery, the vitreous gel is removed, and a gas bubble is placed in the eye to push the edges of the macular hole together, allowing it to heal over time. The gas bubble gradually dissolves, and the eye refills with its natural fluid.
Macular pucker, also known as an epiretinal membrane, occurs when a thin layer of scar tissue forms on the surface of the macula. This leads to wrinkling of the retina, which distorts vision.
Causes:
- Aging: Over time, the vitreous may pull away from the retina, leading to scar tissue formation.
- Previous Eye Surgery: Conditions such as retinal detachment repair can lead to macular pucker.
- Retinal Tears or Inflammation: Can lead to scarring and wrinkling of the macula.
Symptoms:
- Distorted or wavy central vision.
- Blurred vision that makes it hard to read or focus on fine details.
- Straight lines may appear bent or crooked.
Diagnosis:
- Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging (OCT): OCT scans are used to visualize the epiretinal membrane and assess how much it is pulling or wrinkling the macula.
Treatment
- Vitrectomy with Membrane Peeling: During surgery, the vitreous is removed, and the scar tissue (epiretinal membrane) is carefully peeled off the macula to restore its smooth surface and improve vision.
Endophthalmitis is a severe infection inside the eye that can develop after eye surgery or injury. This condition requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
Causes:
- Post-Surgical Infection: After cataract or vitrectomy surgery, bacteria can enter the eye and cause infection.
- Eye Injury: Trauma that introduces bacteria or foreign objects into the eye can result in endophthalmitis.
Symptoms:
- Severe eye pain and redness.
- Blurred vision or vision loss.
- Swelling of the eyelids and sensitivity to light.
Diagnosis:
- Dilated Eye Examination: Your ophthalmologist will examine the eye for signs of infection and inflammation.
- Ultrasound: If the view inside the eye is obscured by inflammation, an ultrasound may be used to assess the extent of the infection.
Treatment:
- Intravitreal Antibiotics: Antibiotics are injected directly into the eye to combat the infection.
- Vitrectomy: In severe cases, vitrectomy may be required to remove infected tissue and control the infection.
Occasionally, complications can occur during cataract surgery, resulting in the dislocation of the intraocular lens (IOL) or the nucleus (central part of the cataract).
IOL Drop:
This occurs when the implanted intraocular lens (IOL) becomes dislocated and falls into the vitreous cavity. It can cause blurry vision, double vision, or discomfort.
Nucleus Drop:
A nucleus drop happens when the central core of the cataract (nucleus) falls into the vitreous cavity during surgery. This can lead to increased eye pressure, inflammation, and vision loss if untreated.
Diagnosis
- Dilated Eye Exam and Ultrasound: To locate the dislocated IOL or nucleus and assess any damage to the retina.
Treatment
- Vitrectomy: The vitreous gel, along with the dislocated IOL or nucleus, is removed. The surgeon may then reposition or replace the IOL in the correct location.
Severe eye injuries from blunt trauma, penetrating objects, or chemical exposure can lead to significant damage to the retina or vitreous, resulting in vision loss. Immediate treatment is crucial.
Types of Eye Injuries:
- Blunt Trauma: Can lead to retinal detachment, bleeding, or retinal tears.
- Penetrating Injuries: Foreign objects entering the eye can cause retinal tears, vitreous hemorrhage, and infections like endophthalmitis.
- Chemical Burns: Chemicals can cause severe damage to the cornea and retina.
Diagnosis
- Dilated Eye Examination and Ultrasound: To assess the extent of the damage and detect any foreign objects inside the eye.
Treatment
- Vitrectomy: In cases of retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, or foreign body removal, vitrectomy is performed to repair the damage and restore vision.
At Mahajan Eye Centre, we provide expert care for all vitreo-retinal diseases using advanced surgical techniques and cutting-edge technology:
- High-Speed Microincision Vitrectomy Machine (7500 cpm) for minimally invasive surgery.
- Zeiss Lumera Microscope for high-definition visualization during delicate surgeries.
- Zeiss Visulas 532 Green Laser for precise retinal repair.
With over 18 years of experience, Dr. Deepankur Mahajan leads our vitreo-retinal team, delivering excellent surgical outcomes for patients with complex retinal diseases.
Contact Us for Expert Retinal Care
If you are experiencing symptoms related to vitreo-retinal diseases, such as vitreous hemorrhage, macular hole, or complications from cataract surgery, contact Mahajan Eye Centre today for expert diagnosis and treatment.