A retinal detachment is an emergency – the longer the retina stays detached, the worse the final vision. If the macula (the centre of the retina) is still attached, surgery should be done the same calendar day to save central vision. If the macula has just come off, repair is within 24–72 hours. Single-operation reattachment succeeds in 85–95% of macula-on cases and 80–90% of macula-off cases.
What is a retinal detachment and why is it urgent?
A rhegmatogenous retinal detachment happens when a tear or hole lets fluid pass under the retina, lifting it off the back of the eye like wallpaper peeling off a wall. Typical warning symptoms are a sudden shower of new floaters, flashing lights, and a dark curtain or shadow spreading across the vision. These are red-flag symptoms that need same-day specialist review – do not wait.
The single most important factor is the macula. While the macula is still attached (“macula-on”), central vision can usually be preserved if the retina is reattached quickly – this is why macula-on detachment is operated on the same day. Once the macula detaches (“macula-off”), some central vision is already at risk, but prompt surgery within 24–72 hours still gives the best achievable result. Learn more about the condition and the wider field of vitreoretinal surgery.
Surgical techniques
Your consultant chooses the technique from the type, number and location of the breaks, your lens status, the macula status and any scarring (proliferative vitreoretinopathy). All are sight-saving; they differ in approach and recovery.
For re-detachments, giant retinal tears and proliferative vitreoretinopathy, a combined vitrectomy plus scleral buckle (£9,500–14,500) is used, sometimes with silicone oil removed at a planned second operation 3–6 months later.
New floaters, flashes or a curtain across your vision? This needs same-day assessment – contact us now.
Get seen todayHow the surgery works
Most retinal detachment surgery is a day case under sub-Tenon’s or peri-bulbar local anaesthetic with monitored sedation – you are relaxed and feel no pain. A general anaesthetic is offered for complex cases or by preference. The surgeon repairs the break, drains the sub-retinal fluid, applies laser or cryotherapy around every break and uses gas, oil or a scleral buckle to keep the retina flat while it re-adheres.
If gas is used you may need to hold a specific head position (face-down, cheek-down or upright) for 5–7 days so the bubble presses on the break. The team will show you exactly how to posture before you go home.
Recovery & aftercare
Day 1
Pressure, gas/oil fill and retinal apposition checked. Begin antibiotic and steroid drops and your prescribed posturing.
First 1–2 weeks
Posturing 5–7 days if gas is used. Office work resumes at 1–2 weeks (short-acting gas) or 2–4 weeks (longer-acting gas). No swimming for 2 weeks.
Weeks to months
Gas absorbs (SF6 ~10 days, C2F6 ~4 weeks, C3F8 ~8 weeks). Absolutely no flying until the gas has gone. Silicone oil, if used, is removed at 3–6 months.
6-month review
Structured reviews at week 1, 2–4, 6–8 weeks, 3 and 6 months with macula OCT. Phakic eyes often need cataract surgery within 12–24 months.
How much does private retinal detachment surgery cost?
UK 2026 self-pay all-inclusive fees at CQC-registered vitreoretinal centres are approximately £5,500–9,500 for pneumatic retinopexy, £7,500–12,500 for pars plana vitrectomy with gas, £6,500–10,500 for scleral buckle and £9,500–14,500 for combined vitrectomy plus buckle. The fee covers the consultant surgeon, theatre, anaesthetist, the gas or oil hardware, structured 6-month follow-up and out-of-hours cover.
Acute retinal detachment is a sight-threatening emergency and is routinely covered by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality and WPA with pre-authorisation. See full vitreoretinal surgery pricing, or read about retinal detachment treatment in more detail.
Retinal detachment surgery FAQs
How quickly can I be seen and operated on privately for a retinal detachment?
The UK private same-day pathway delivers consultant vitreoretinal surgeon review within 2–6 hours of triage and theatre repair on the same calendar day for macula-on detachment. Macula-off detachment within the previous 7 days is operated within 24–72 hours; longer-standing macula-off can sometimes wait a small number of days for theatre logistics without further visual loss. If you have warning symptoms – new floaters, flashes or a curtain across the vision – seek same-day specialist review immediately.
How much does private retinal detachment surgery cost in the UK in 2026?
UK 2026 self-pay all-inclusive fees typically range from £5,500–9,500 for pneumatic retinopexy, £7,500–12,500 for pars plana vitrectomy with gas tamponade, £6,500–10,500 for scleral buckle, and £9,500–14,500 for combined vitrectomy plus scleral buckle, at CQC-registered London and regional vitreoretinal centres. The fee covers the consultant vitreoretinal surgeon, theatre, anaesthetist, surgical hardware (gas or oil), structured 6-month follow-up and out-of-hours emergency cover.
Which surgical technique will I have?
The right technique is chosen by the consultant on the basis of the type and number of breaks, their location, your lens status (phakic or pseudophakic), any vitreous haemorrhage, the macula status and any proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Pars plana vitrectomy with gas tamponade is the most common UK technique. Scleral buckle is preferred in younger phakic patients with inferior dialyses or single horseshoe tears. Pneumatic retinopexy is reserved for clean superior tears with no inferior pathology. Combined vitrectomy plus buckle is used in re-detachments and PVR.
Will the surgery hurt?
No. Most retinal detachment surgery is performed under sub-Tenon’s or peri-bulbar local anaesthetic with monitored sedation; you will be relaxed and feel no pain. A general anaesthetic is offered for selected complex cases or by patient preference. After surgery the eye is usually a little gritty and tender for 24–48 hours, controlled with simple analgesia.
How well will I see afterwards?
If the macula is still attached at the time of surgery, the great majority of patients return to 6/6 to 6/9 final acuity in the operated eye. If the macula has just detached, final acuity is typically 6/9 to 6/24 and depends on how long the macula has been off, your age and your refraction. Anatomical success after a single operation is around 85–95% in macula-on cases and 80–90% in macula-off cases.
Why can’t I fly after retinal detachment surgery?
If your eye contains intra-ocular gas (SF6, C2F6 or C3F8), you cannot fly. Gas expands at altitude and can cause a sight-threatening rise in eye pressure with central retinal artery occlusion. SF6 absorbs over about 10 days, C2F6 over about 4 weeks and C3F8 over about 8 weeks. Avoid all air travel, high-altitude trains and mountain trips until the consultant confirms there is zero gas in the eye on examination.