Private vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade for retinal detachment costs from around £6,500 per eye in the UK, with a typical range of £6,000–£10,000 depending on the complexity of the detachment and whether local or general anaesthetic is used. Silicone oil holds the retina in place while it heals and is later removed in a separate, smaller operation, indicatively £3,000–£4,000. A consultant consultation with imaging is usually £200–£350. Insurance is widely accepted, and every price is confirmed in writing at your consultation.
Retinal detachment is a sight-threatening emergency. Sudden floaters, flashing lights or a dark curtain moving across your vision need same-day assessment. Call 0800 852 7782 now.
Same-day retinal detachment surgeryWhat is silicone oil vitrectomy for retinal detachment?
A retinal detachment occurs when the light-sensitive retina peels away from the wall of the eye. Left untreated it causes permanent sight loss, so it is treated as an emergency. The most common repair is a pars plana vitrectomy (PPV): the surgeon removes the vitreous gel that fills the eye, reattaches the retina, seals the tears, and then places an internal tamponade — a bubble that presses the retina back against the eye wall while it heals.
The tamponade is either an intraocular gas bubble, which the eye absorbs over a few weeks, or silicone oil, which stays in the eye and is removed later in a second, smaller operation. Silicone oil is chosen for more complex or recurrent detachments — giant retinal tears, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), or where a patient cannot posture face-down or needs to fly soon after surgery. Silicone oil avoids strict posturing and, unlike a gas bubble, permits air travel. This procedure sits within our wider vitreoretinal surgery service.
Silicone oil, gas or scleral buckle?
Your consultant recommends the tamponade or approach that gives the best chance of a lasting repair for your particular detachment. The three main options are compared below.
Silicone oil and gas both work by supporting the retina from inside the eye; a scleral buckle supports it from outside. Many complex detachments are repaired with a combination of vitrectomy, laser or cryotherapy to seal the tears, and a buckle. Your surgeon will explain which combination suits your retina, your ability to posture, and your travel plans.
What happens during the operation
Vitrectomy is performed under local or general anaesthetic, as a day case or with a short overnight stay. Through three tiny openings in the white of the eye (the pars plana), the surgeon works inside the eye without a large incision.
- Anaesthetic is given — local (numbing the eye, you stay comfortable) or general, depending on the case and your preference.
- Three micro-ports are placed through the pars plana, and the vitreous gel is removed with a fine cutting probe (pars plana vitrectomy).
- The retina is flattened and reattached, and every tear is sealed with laser or freezing treatment (cryotherapy).
- Silicone oil is then injected to fill the eye and hold the retina against the wall while it heals. A scleral buckle may be added in complex cases.
- The ports are checked and the eye is shielded. Most patients go home the same day or after a short stay.
If you have symptoms of a tear but no established detachment yet, a prompt flashes and floaters check can allow the tear to be sealed with laser before the retina detaches.
Been told you need vitrectomy with silicone oil? Our vitreoretinal consultants offer prompt private assessment and a clear, written price.
Arrange a consultationRecovery and the later oil removal
Recovery from silicone oil vitrectomy is more comfortable than gas in one respect: you usually avoid strict face-down posturing, and you can fly. The oil, however, is a two-stage plan — it is removed in a separate operation once the retina is stable.
Day of surgery
Vision is blurred and the eye is shielded. You go home the same day or after a short stay. Drops begin. Your surgeon explains any positioning advice.
Week 1
First review to confirm the retina is flat. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drops continue. Vision through silicone oil is functional but not sharp.
Weeks 2–6
The eye settles and activity gradually resumes. With silicone oil you may fly and do not need strict posturing. Reviews monitor retinal stability and eye pressure.
Months 2–6
Once the retina is confirmed stable, the silicone oil is removed in a separate, smaller operation — indicatively £3,000–£4,000. Vision often improves after removal.
Beyond oil removal
Final vision depends on how long the retina was detached and whether the macula was involved. Your consultant sets realistic expectations at every stage.
Silicone oil vitrectomy cost in the UK
All prices below are indicative 2026 self-pay figures and are confirmed in writing at your consultation, where your surgeon has assessed the complexity of your detachment.
- Vitrectomy with silicone oil: from around £6,500 per eye; typical range £6,000–£10,000 depending on complexity and anaesthetic.
- Silicone oil removal: a separate later operation, indicatively £3,000–£4,000.
- Consultation & imaging: around £200–£350.
- Insurance: retinal detachment repair is widely covered by private medical insurers — we can help with authorisation.
For the full range of retinal procedures and prices, see our vitreoretinal surgery cost page. If a scleral buckle is recommended alongside or instead of oil, its cost is covered on the scleral buckle cost page.