Name a common surgical treatment for retinal detachment.

• A. Pars plana vitrectomy with gas or silicone oil tamponade
• B. Scleral buckle
• C. Laser therapy of the cornea
• D. Intravitreal antibiotics

Answer: (A)

The surgical approach to retinal detachment focuses on relieving traction, removing blocks to retinal reattachment, and then holding the retina in place as it heals. The most common procedure is pars plana vitrectomy with tamponade. In this operation, the vitreous gel is removed to eliminate vitreoretinal traction, the retina is flattened, and the retina is secured around breaks with laser or cryotherapy. A tamponade agent is then placed inside the eye to press the retina against the wall while healing occurs. Gas tamponades (such as SF6 or C3F8) rise and gradually absorb over days to weeks, while silicone oil can provide longer-term support when needed.

Scleral buckling is another viable option in some cases, particularly for certain tear patterns or younger patients, and can be used with or without vitrectomy, but the pars plana vitrectomy with tamponade remains the most widely used approach for many retinal detachments. Laser therapy of the cornea and intravitreal antibiotics target different eye problems and do not repair retinal detachments.