Mr Julian Robins
Ophthalmology

Retinal surgery: what conditions does it treat, and what's recovery time like?

Written by: Mr Julian Robins

Published: 06/04/2022

Edited by: Conor Lynch

Retinal surgery can be the ideal way to treat various different medical conditions that are affecting one’s retina. On hand in our latest article here to provide us with an expert insight into how retinal surgery is performed, and what it is used to treat, is revered London and Milton Keynes-based consultant ophthalmic surgeon, Mr Julian Robins.

What exactly is retinal surgery used to treat?

Retinal surgery is a microsurgery that is used to treat conditions affecting the retina. The most common conditions that retinal surgery treats include the following:

How exactly is retinal surgery performed?

It is an operation that is performed in an operating theatre. We use a high-powered microscope. It is often compared to a type of keyhole surgery, as we make very small incisions. It can either be performed with general or local anaesthetic, and generally takes anywhere between 40 minutes to an hour.

What are the main risks?

There is, unfortunately, a possibility of making things worse through retinal surgery, so us surgeons need to be extra careful when performing it.

What are the main differences and similarities when compared to cataract surgery?

Both operations are microsurgeries that are performed in surgical theatres. Cataract surgery takes around 20 to 30 minutes, while, as mentioned, retinal surgery takes a bit longer than that.

What is recovery time like?

Recovery after retinal surgery can be quite varied actually. It of course depends on the condition that is being treated. Generally speaking, though, patients will be fully recovered after roughly a week.

If you are considering undergoing retinal surgery in the near future, Mr Julian Robins is the ideal surgeon for you. Contact him today via his Top Doctors profile.

By Mr Julian Robins

Ophthalmology in London

Mr Julian Robins is a highly experienced consultant ophthalmic surgeon who practices at Clinica London on the renowned Harley Street, and Blakelands Hospital in Milton Keynes. Mr Robins specialises in treatment for blurred vision, conditions of the macula and retina, and complications of cataract surgery. He consults for general ophthalmic conditions, he sees patients with emergency and urgent eye complaints, including floaters and flashes from posterior vitreous detachment, retinal tears and...

By Mr Julian Robins
Ophthalmology

Mr Julian Robins is a highly experienced consultant ophthalmic surgeon who practices at Clinica London on the renowned Harley Street, and Blakelands Hospital in Milton Keynes.

Mr Robins specialises in treatment for blurred vision, conditions of the macula and retina, and complications of cataract surgery. He consults for general ophthalmic conditions, he sees patients with emergency and urgent eye complaints, including floaters and flashes from posterior vitreous detachment, retinal tears and detachments, acute uveitis, scleritis and red eyes. He is a medical retinal specialist for diabetic eye disease (DED) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Mr Robins also carries out intravitreal eye injections and laser treatments.

Mr Robins' VR surgical expertise includes retinal tears, floaters, retinal detachment, macula epiretinal membrane, vitreous haemorrhage and macula holes. Mr Robins always ensures that he provides his patients with the necessary information about their eye conditions and offers surgery if appropriate.

Mr Robins studied at the University of Aberdeen where he gained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree. He later attended the University College London (UCL) and the Institute of Ophthalmology for his master's degree in Biology of Vision Research. After completing his Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) in London, Mr Robins went on to complete fellowships in both medical retina and vitreoretinal surgery at St Thomas' Hospital London. He was later appointed as the consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Milton Keynes University Hospital in 2019, where he was responsible for establishing the retinal surgery service, the first and only unit of its kind in the region.

Mr Robins is a clinical teacher, he completed a postgraduate qualification in medical education at Kings College London (KCL) and was appointed to represent the Royal College of Ophthalmologists for the training of ophthalmic specialist trainees in his role as a college tutor. He's also an educational supervisor for the undergraduate students at The University of Buckinghamshire Medical School.