Retinal detachment surgery reattaches a retina that has lifted away from the back of the eye — a sight-threatening emergency. The commonest UK technique is pars plana vitrectomy with gas or silicone oil tamponade; scleral buckle and pneumatic retinopexy are used in selected cases. Private self-pay fees in 2026 range from about £5,500 for pneumatic retinopexy to £7,500–£12,500 for vitrectomy and up to £14,500 for combined surgery, all-inclusive. The NHS emergency pathway is free and available 24/7 and remains the default route — a private same-day option is chosen for capacity, geography or consultant continuity. Sudden new floaters, flashes or a shadow over your vision need same-day assessment.
Sudden flashes, floaters or a shadow over your sight? This can be a retinal detachment. Seek emergency eye care immediately — NHS A&E / eye casualty is free and open 24/7. The sooner the macula is protected, the better the visual outcome.
Arrange urgent assessmentWhat is a retinal detachment?
The retina is the thin layer of light-sensing tissue lining the inside back wall of the eye — like the film in a camera. A retinal detachment happens when this layer peels away from the supporting tissue beneath it, cutting off its oxygen and nutrient supply. If it is not reattached promptly, the affected retina stops working and vision is permanently lost.
The most common type is rhegmatogenous detachment, caused by a tear or hole in the retina that lets fluid pass underneath and lift it. Tears often follow a posterior vitreous detachment (a normal age-related change), but the risk is higher in people who are short-sighted, have had cataract surgery, or have suffered an eye injury. Read more about the warning signs on our retinal detachment condition page.
Warning signs — act immediately
- A sudden shower of new floaters — dots, lines or cobwebs in your vision
- Flashes of light (photopsia) — especially in the peripheral vision
- A dark shadow or “curtain” spreading across the field of view
- Sudden blurring or a drop in central vision (the macula becoming involved)
- A grey veil that does not clear with blinking
These symptoms are painless but urgent. If the macula (the central retina) is still attached, same-day repair gives the best chance of preserving sharp vision.
Repair options
The right operation depends on the type, size and position of the detachment, whether the macula is involved, and your eye's anatomy. Your vitreoretinal surgeon will choose the technique — or combination — most likely to reattach the retina first time.
Complex or recurrent detachments (for example with proliferative vitreoretinopathy) may need combined vitrectomy plus buckle, from £9,500. All of these procedures are performed by our vitreoretinal surgery team. For a triaged emergency route, see our same-day retinal detachment pathway.
What happens during surgery
Most repairs are day-case procedures performed under local or general anaesthetic. Vitrectomy — the commonest technique — typically takes 45–90 minutes:
- Anaesthetic is given and the eye is cleaned and draped. Tiny ports are made in the white of the eye (pars plana).
- A vitrectomy removes the vitreous gel that is pulling on the retina, relieving traction.
- The retina is gently flattened and every tear or hole is sealed with laser (endolaser) or freezing (cryotherapy).
- The eye is filled with a gas bubble or silicone oil to hold the retina in place while it heals (tamponade).
- The ports are closed and the eye is shielded. You may be asked to posture (hold your head in a set position) for several days.
Recovery week-by-week
Recovery depends on the technique and how long the retina was detached. Vision recovers gradually — fastest when the macula was still attached at the time of surgery.
First few days
Posturing as instructed to keep the gas bubble against the retinal break. The eye is sore and vision is dark/blurred from the bubble. Use prescribed drops.
Weeks 1–2
First review confirms the retina is flat. The gas bubble starts to shrink; you may see a wobbling line across vision as it absorbs.
Weeks 2–8
Gas is gradually absorbed and vision clears from the top down. No flying or general anaesthetic while gas remains. Silicone oil is removed later in a second procedure.
Months 2–6
Vision continues to improve and stabilise. A new glasses prescription is checked once healing is complete. Structured follow-up monitors for re-detachment.
Important: if a gas bubble is in your eye you must not fly or have nitrous-oxide anaesthesia until your surgeon confirms it has fully absorbed — the gas can expand dangerously at altitude.
Cost & insurance
Our private retinal detachment fees are all-inclusive of the consultant, theatre, anaesthetic, tamponade and a structured 6-month follow-up:
- Pneumatic retinopexy: from £5,500 (selected superior tears).
- Scleral buckle: from £6,500.
- Vitrectomy with gas: £7,500–£12,500 — the commonest repair.
- Combined vitrectomy + buckle: from £9,500 (complex / recurrent cases).
- Insurance: acute rhegmatogenous detachment is routinely covered by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality and WPA with pre-authorisation.
- NHS: emergency retinal detachment surgery is free and available 24/7 and remains the default UK pathway.