Services
Vitreoretinal Surgery
Specialist surgical management of conditions affecting the vitreous and retina, including retinal detachment, macular disease, and complex vitreous surgery.
What is Vitreoretinal Surgery?
Vitreoretinal surgery encompasses surgical procedures on the vitreous — the gel-like substance filling the eye — and the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. These are among the most technically demanding procedures in ophthalmology, requiring specialised training and microsurgical skill.
The primary technique used is pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), in which tiny instruments are inserted through three small incisions in the sclera (white of the eye) to remove the vitreous gel and treat the underlying retinal condition. Most vitreoretinal surgery is performed under local anaesthesia as a day procedure.
Conditions Treated
Retinal Detachment
UrgentA sight-threatening emergency in which the retina separates from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium. Requires urgent surgical repair. Treatment options include vitrectomy with gas or silicone oil tamponade, or scleral buckling. Outcomes are best when repaired promptly.
Epiretinal Membrane
A thin, fibrous membrane grows on the macular surface, causing it to wrinkle. This leads to distorted and reduced central vision. Vitrectomy with membrane peeling typically results in significant visual improvement.
Macular Hole
A full-thickness defect in the macula causes a central scotoma (blind spot) and severely reduced central vision. Vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade closes the hole in the majority of cases.
Vitreous Haemorrhage
Bleeding into the vitreous cavity clouds vision suddenly. Causes include diabetic retinopathy, retinal tear, or trauma. If the blood does not clear spontaneously, vitrectomy is performed to restore vision and treat the underlying cause.
Diabetic Vitreopathy & Tractional Retinal Detachment
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy can cause fibrovascular membranes that pull on the retina, causing tractional detachment. Vitrectomy removes the membranes and addresses the retinal detachment.
Complex Lens Surgery
Retained lens fragments following complicated cataract surgery, subluxated or dislocated intraocular lenses, and other complex anterior segment complications may require vitreoretinal surgical management.
About Vitrectomy
- Anaesthesia
- Local or general
- Setting
- Day surgery
- Incisions
- 3 × 0.5mm ports
- Tamponade
- Gas or silicone oil when needed
- Positioning
- Face-down may be required post-op
- Flying restriction
- No flying with gas in eye
Retinal Detachment — Act Quickly
New flashing lights, floaters, or a curtain/shadow across your vision may indicate a retinal tear or detachment. This is an emergency — please call us immediately or proceed to the nearest eye emergency department.
Urgent referrals accepted
For urgent retinal conditions, please call us directly.
Call 03 9466 8822Make an AppointmentOur Vitreoretinal Surgeon
Dr David Sousa is a fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon with fellowship training in Manchester (UK) and Melbourne, currently working at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and Geelong Hospital. He holds a PhD and is actively involved in retinal research at the Centre for Eye Research Australia.
Dr David Sousa
MBBS FRANZCO
Vitreoretinal Surgery
Dr David Sousa graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon in 2013. He completed his Ophthalmology specialty training in Portugal, followed by Vitreoretinal fellowships in Manchester, United Kingdom and Melbourne, Australia. Dr Sousa currently works as a Vitreoretinal Surgeon in Melbourne at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, and in Geelong at the University Hospital and St John of God Hospital. Dr Sousa specialises in the treatment of vitreoretinal conditions including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, epiretinal membrane, macular hole, and complex lens surgery. Dr Sousa obtained his PhD in 2021 and is currently involved in multiple research projects at Centre for Eye Research Australia, including retinal imaging biomarkers, artificial intelligence, neuroprotection and development of novel surgical devices.
Qualifications
- —MBBS
- —FRANZCO
- —PhD (Centre for Eye Research Australia)
Research
- —Multiple peer-reviewed publications in retinal imaging, artificial intelligence and neuroprotection
- —Regular speaker at international conferences
Public Appointments
- —Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
- —University Hospital Geelong
Refer to Our Vitreoretinal Surgeon
Dr David Sousa welcomes referrals for vitreoretinal conditions. For urgent presentations, please call us directly on 03 9466 8822.