- 19 Sep, 2024
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Retina Vitreous Surgeon
Retina Vitreous Surgeon
Becoming an excellent retina-vitreous surgeon requires a combination of education,
, experience, and ongoing professional development.
Here’s a roadmap to help you achieve excellence in this field:
1-Understanding Retina Vitreous Surgery:
A retina vitreous surgeon must have a complete knowledge of the retina and its anatomy
The retina is a special part of the eye. It is considered to be a part of the central nervous system.
It consists of neural tissue and brain tissue coming out of the skull.
The retina is composed of several layers and is best compared to a multi-layered cake.
The outer layer is pigmented and is in contact with the choroid.
This layer is called Retinal Pigment Epithelium.
The neural retina is layered over the RPE and is attached to it.
The ora serrata is the anterior margin of the retina.
The nerve fiber layer comes out of the eye to form the optic nerve.
This knowledge must also include Common Retina and Vitreous Disorders:
– Retinoschisis – An important disorder that is commonly misdiagnosed as a macular degeneration.
It occurs when the vitreous separates from the retina and causes a split within the retina.
The split can occur in the most sensitive part of the retina, and it’s possible that traction
can cause a retinal detachment.
The most common type occurs in elderly people and is simply an age-related degenerative change.
– Retinal Tear and Detachment – Again, very common disorders that can cause permanent
loss of vision if left untreated.
A retinal tear occurs when the vitreous separates from the retina and causes a break,
usually resulting in the leakage of fluid that elevates and detaches the retina.
– A retinal detachment is when the whole or part of the retina becomes detached from the back of the eye.
There are three types of detachment.
Rhegmatogenous is caused by a tear or break allowing fluid to get behind the retina.
Traction is caused by scar tissue on the surface of the retina or an underlying blood vessel problem.
The scar tissue is usually from previous injuries or inflammation, and the result is a gradual loss of vision.
Finally, there is exudative, which occurs when fluid leaks from abnormal blood vessels located under the retina.
– Diabetic Retinopathy – This is a complication of diabetes and is caused by damage
to the blood vessels of the retina.
2- Developing Surgical Skills
Retina vitreous surgeons demand a thorough understanding of the fundamental knowledge
required to perform these surgeries.
This is a two-stage process: first, intensive self-study of the relevant anatomy and pathology should be undertaken.
Second, attendance in structured courses designed to teach surgical techniques,
allied to a mechanism for critical appraisal of the outcomes of surgery on human eyes is vital.
Ultimately, the quality of knowledge a surgeon attains will be reflected in their surgical results.
A sound grasp of surgical principles will not only deliver better surgical outcomes
but also provide innovative surgeons the confidence to push boundaries in vitreoretinal surgery,
be it in developing new techniques or attempting more complex surgeries.
The transition from the novice phase to becoming a highly skilled vitreoretinal surgeon
is achieved through a combination of hands-on surgical experience, mentorship, and continuing education.
The earlier one can access and increase these experiences, the more rapidly one can become a skilled surgeon.
3-Hands-on Training and Practical Experience
Surgeons learn the basic skills in residency and fellowship through a step-by-step progression
from observation to assistance to performance under supervision.
During surgical training, the preferential primary goal is to successfully repair the patient’s retinal condition.
Therefore, an adequate volume and mix of cases must be experienced
to move a surgical skill level from novice to expert
4-Mentorship and Guidance from Experienced Surgeons
Learning from experts can occur in a variety of settings and the goal should be to receive
well-rounded feedback and teaching to develop all aspects of surgery.
Surgery is as much a skilled trade as it is a science.
Now, more than ever, an aspiring retinal surgeon can benefit from the knowledge
and guidance of experienced surgeons who have developed expertise in eye surgery.
Time-tested principles in medicine include an apprenticeship model of learning surgery.
An aspiring surgeon first masters basic skills before attempting to operate under the watchful eye of an expert.
To become an excellent retina surgeon, it is crucial to seek the counsel of accomplished
surgeons who are willing to provide support and guidance as you progress through various stages of training.
5-Continuous Learning and Staying Updated with the Latest Techniques
Continuous learning and regular updates of skills and knowledge are of paramount importance
for a surgeon wishing to master any surgical technique.
It is particularly relevant for vitreoretinal surgery given the rapidly evolving surgical techniques,
instrumentation, and macular imaging modalities.
There are many modalities for learning, including courses, wet labs, online learning, and observation of experts.
6-Enhancing Patient Care and Communication
In general, bonding with the patient can reduce patient anxiety and improve compliance with medical advice.
Although it is often perceived as unprofessional to share details of one’s personal life with the patient,
it is not difficult to form a bond in which the patient will often inquire about you and your family.
Communication with the patient by the retina vitreous surgeon is the most important aspect
of the work that we do and is often overlooked.
We have to remember that the patient is in the most distressing situation that he/she has encountered in years.
They have been told that they have a potentially blinding condition that requires surgery
and something difficult to come to terms with.
It is a well-known psychological principle that a person in distress can hear and comprehend
only a small fraction of the conversation.
This is often the reason for misinterpretation of the condition and what the surgery entails
and is the cause of unrealistic patient expectations.
It is our job to leave the patient with no doubts or unanswered questions in his/her mind.
This can be achieved by the use of simple language and frequent questioning to ensure
that the patient understands the conversation.