Retina Reattachment to RPE/Choroid After Vitrectomy

[curio255]

When a vitrectomy is performed and the retina is lasered back to the RPE/choroid, are the laser spot welds the only things holding the retina back in place where the tear was, or does the retina eventually heal/mend back together with the underlying RPE/choroid in a manner that is the same as it was before the tear?

[curio255]

Hi Doctor. How was it adhered prior to the detachment and does that initial type of adherence ever return afterward?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

There are cells that provide structure and stability and that is there function other cells provide vision.

[curio255]

Hi Doctor. Yes, the photoreceptor cells provide the vision.

As for the cells that provide structure and stability, my question is, are they still able to work and bond back to the portion of the retina that was detached after the retina is pushed back flat against the RPE/Choroid? In other words, is it just the spot welds from the laser that keep the affected section of the retina attached now or do the cells also help with the adhesion of the retina in the affected area?  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

The peripheral retina recovers better than the macula (for reading and straight ahead vision)  A 'macula off detachment' usually does not regain full central vision even if the retina and macula successfully reattached.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

It works by scar formation and adhesions. The retina is brain tissue. Neurolgoical tissue like the brain, spinal chord and retina so not heal like other tissue.

[curio255]

Okay, thank you Doctor.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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