A less frequent problem is tearing of the retina with ensuing separation of the retina from the wall of the eye (a retinal detachment). How this problem is addressed depends upon the cause of the detachment

and other circumstances peculiar to the patient and the patient's eye. Heating the edges of the detached retina (laser photocoagulation) may permit the retina to scar in place, curing the detachment or preventing it from enlarging. Only a few detachments can be treated this way. Injecting a gas bubble into the eye and positioning the head so the bubble rests against the retinal tear (pneumatic retinopexy) may cure some retinal detachments. Many retinal detachments are treated by indenting the outer layers of the eye by a brick or belt of silicone sewn to the white part of the eye (scleral buckling). Finally, some retinal detachments may be treated by removing the vitreous from within the eye (vitrectomy), and removing any

scar tissue that may be preventing the retina from settling in place on the back of the eye.

Retinal surgery is also employed in the diagnosis and treatment of infections and chronic inflammation of the interior of the eye.

In recent years retinal surgery has been proposed as a treatment for retinal disorders that were previously considered medical disorders. For example, it is now possible to perform surgery to remove abnormal

blood vessels that grow under the retina in some patients who have age-related macular degeneration or presumed ocular histoplasmosis. It now appears that some patients with the impending formation of holes

in the central retina may benefit from removal of the vitreous.

Another aspect of retinal surgery is the diagnosis and treatment of tumors growing within or beneath the retina. Many options are possible in treating tumors, and which is selected depends on the particular tumor, the condition of the patient's eye and the medical circumstances peculiar to that patient.