What happens during macular translocation surgery?
In order to move the retina, an operation is performed. This can be performed under local or general anesthesia. There are three basic steps to this operation. First, the retina is intentionally detached (the wall paper lifted off the wall) by injecting fluid under the retina. Second, several stitches are placed towards the back of the eye to mildly indent the wall of the eye. (These stitches are not visible afterwards and remain permanent.) Third, an air bubble is placed into the main cavity of the eye. After surgery, patients are instructed to sit upright for 24 to 48 hours. The air bubble, in combination with the indentation of the wall of the eye, pushes the retina back into position against the back wall of the eye. Although some variations with this technique may be used depending on the specific circumstances, these basic steps are performed to achieve macular translocation. The air bubble injected into the eye will be gradually absorbed by the body within a few days to weeks. I
