what is "pneumatic retinopexy"?

Pneumatic Retinopexy is a procedure that can be used to repair some retinal detachments.

The procedure involves the injection of a gas bubble into the eye...using a gas which expands...the patient must then position themselves in a very specific way...such that the gas bubble pushes on and flattens the retina...the next day...the retinal tear or tears are sealed with either laser or cryopexy(freezing).

Approximately 50% of retinal detachments are potentially treatable in this fashion. The retinal surgeon's decision as to whether this technique is appropriate is based on the anatomy of the detachment and the number and location of the tear(s) and on the ability of the patient to assume the required position.