Major Optho surgeries?

[CutIt]

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Since most people say that most optho surgery is outpatient and performed by general opthos, what about surgeries performed by specialists? What are the major/complex surgeries performed in opthalmology, and what is on the horizon?

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Originally posted by CutIt
Since most people say that most optho surgery is outpatient and performed by general opthos, what about surgeries performed by specialists? What are the major/complex surgeries performed in opthalmology, and what is on the horizon?

Oculoplastics and retina have the most complex surgeries. Oculoplastics can be involved in major reconstructions of the orbit and face after wide excision of tumor or s/p trauma. For instance, I've scrubbed in for a multiple cannicular and facial repair after a dog mauled a patient's face. It took 4 1/2 hours to complete. It's impressive what the surgeons can accomplish. They truly give people back their livelihood.

The retina surgeons can be involved in major retinal detachment surgeries. Some of the surgeries after trauma, retained intraocular foreign body, or diabetic PVR can take 4+ hours. I've seen the fellows and staff spend 6-8 hours on a case.

Other complex surgeries can be taumatic cataracts or pseudoexfoliation syndrome where the zonular fibers are weakened, or cataract surgeries in patients with Marfan's and subluxed lenses. There's many, many challenging and complex scenarios. The beautiful thing is that if you're not comfortable, then you decide which cases you want to tackle and the cases you want to refer out to more experienced surgeons.

What's on the horizon? Tons. As mentioned above, even cataract surgeries can be complex and challenging.