What is VR Surgery?

Vitreo-retinal surgery is the sub-speciality discipline of ophthalmology that deals with diseases of the vitreous and retina that are amenable to surgical and other treatments. Up to 50% of patients requiring VR surgery present as emergency or urgent cases, for example retinal detachment and eye trauma. Other potentially sight-threatening conditions which are treated by VR surgeons include macular hole, epiretinal membrane, complications of diabetic eye disease amongst many others.

VR surgery principally involves advanced microsurgical techniques and VR surgeons typically undergo two additional years of subspeciality training after completing their specialist ophthalmology training.

Considerable investment in equipment, staff training and support services is required to enable VR surgery to be performed. As a result not all ophthalmology departments provide a vitreoretinal surgical service and patients may need to be referred elsewhere for treatment. Departments that provide VR surgical services treat patients from their own locality and from neighbouring hospitals that do not have the required facilities. Vitreoretinal surgical units often support each other by means of local networks to ensure that patients requiring emergency or urgent care are able to do so in a timely manner.