Retina Surgery in Mumbai: Your Complete Guide to Saving Your Sight
Expert vitreoretinal care by Dr. Jignesh Gala — an internationally trained retina surgeon offering vitrectomy, retinal detachment repair, anti-VEGF injections and diabetic retinopathy treatment with global standards of care.
The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye — the part that actually “sees.” When it is damaged by a tear, a detachment, diabetes or ageing, vision can fade quickly and, without timely treatment, permanently. Retina surgery is one of the most rewarding fields in modern ophthalmology precisely because it can rescue sight that would otherwise be lost. This guide explains what retina surgery involves, the procedures available in Mumbai, what the evidence says about outcomes, and how to choose the right retina surgeon in Mumbai.
What Is Retina Surgery?
Retina surgery — more precisely vitreoretinal surgery — refers to a group of micro-surgical and laser procedures used to treat diseases of the retina, macula, vitreous gel and retinal blood vessels. A vitreoretinal surgeon is an ophthalmologist who has completed additional fellowship training specifically in this delicate part of the eye.
Some retinal conditions are managed in the clinic with injections or laser. Others require surgery inside the eye in an operating theatre. The goal is always the same: to reattach the retina, clear obstructing blood or scar tissue, seal breaks, and preserve or restore as much vision as possible.
Retinal Conditions That May Need Surgery
Retinal Detachment
The retina peels away from the back wall of the eye. Warning signs include sudden flashes, floaters and a curtain-like shadow. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is the most common type and almost always needs surgery to reattach the retina and save sight.
Diabetic Retinopathy & Diabetic Macular Edema
Diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels of the retina, causing bleeding, swelling (macular edema) and abnormal new vessels. India carries one of the world’s heaviest diabetic eye-disease burdens — studies place the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among Indians with diabetes between roughly 15% and 28%, with a meaningful share at a sight-threatening stage. Treatment ranges from laser and anti-VEGF injections to vitrectomy for advanced disease.
Macular Hole & Epiretinal Membrane
A macular hole is a small gap in the central retina that distorts and blurs central vision; an epiretinal membrane (“macular pucker”) is a fine scar-like sheet that wrinkles the macula. Both are treated with vitrectomy and delicate membrane peeling.
Vitreous Hemorrhage
Bleeding into the vitreous cavity — from diabetes, a retinal tear or vascular disease — can suddenly cloud vision. Depending on the cause it is treated with observation, laser, injections or vitrectomy.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)
The leading cause of central vision loss in older adults. “Wet” ARMD is managed with regular anti-VEGF injections to control abnormal vessels and preserve reading vision.
Retinal Vein Occlusion
A blockage in a retinal vein causes bleeding and macular swelling. Anti-VEGF injections and targeted laser help restore vision and prevent complications.
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) & Pediatric Retina
Premature babies are at risk of abnormal retinal vessel growth that can lead to blindness if missed. Timely screening, laser and injections protect the vision of the most vulnerable patients. Dr. Gala provides dedicated ROP screening and pediatric retinal care.
Types of Retina Surgery & Treatments
Here are the core retina surgery procedures performed by a vitreoretinal surgeon, and what each is used for:
| Procedure | What it treats | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV) | Retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, macular hole, ERM, advanced diabetic disease | Micro-incision keyhole surgery to remove the vitreous gel and repair the retina from inside the eye |
| Scleral Buckle | Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (often in younger eyes) | A soft silicone band gently indents the eye wall to support the retinal break |
| Pneumatic Retinopexy | Select uncomplicated retinal detachments | A gas bubble pushes the retina back into place, combined with laser or freezing |
| Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injection | Diabetic macular edema, wet ARMD, vein occlusion | Medication injected into the eye to dry up swelling and control abnormal vessels |
| Retinal Laser Photocoagulation | Diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears, vascular disease | Precision laser seals breaks and treats leaking or abnormal vessels |
| Macular Hole / ERM Peeling | Macular hole, epiretinal membrane | Vitrectomy with peeling of fine membranes off the macular surface |
| Gas / Silicone Oil Tamponade | Complex or recurrent detachments | The eye is filled with gas or oil to hold the retina in place while it heals |
What Does the Evidence Say About Success Rates?
Retina surgery has become remarkably successful. For rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, the published literature is consistent and encouraging:
A large nationwide Japanese registry of 2,775 detachment cases found vitrectomy and scleral buckle delivered equally successful anatomical outcomes, with the best technique depending on the individual eye. A 2024 comparative study reported similar reattachment rates between the two approaches, while noting scleral buckling caused less cataract progression in eyes without posterior vitreous detachment. For diabetic eye disease, multiple 2025 systematic reviews confirm that anti-VEGF therapy and laser photocoagulation are both effective in protecting vision from proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
The practical takeaway: outcomes are excellent, but the right procedure for your eye depends on a careful, imaging-based assessment by an experienced surgeon — which is exactly why surgeon selection matters.
Why Choose Dr. Jignesh Gala for Retina Surgery in Mumbai?
Dr. Jignesh Gala is a vitreoretinal and cataract surgeon in Andheri West, Mumbai, with a clinical training pedigree and international experience that few retina surgeons in the city can match.
- Elite training: MBBS from Grant Medical College & JJ Group of Hospitals; post-graduation in ophthalmology from Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai.
- Vitreoretinal fellowship at the world-renowned L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad.
- International qualifications: FRCS (Glasgow), MRCSEd (Edinburgh), FICO (London) and the Refraction Certificate of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, UK.
- Global experience across India, Singapore (Tan Tock Seng Hospital) and the United Kingdom.
- Academic & research record: former Assistant Professor at TN Medical College & Nair Hospital, reviewer for BMJ Case Reports, with multiple scientific publications and presentations.
- High-volume surgeon: 25,780+ surgical eye procedures and 1,60,000+ patients seen, with a focus on precision-based, ethical, technology-driven care.
Dr. Jignesh Gala
Vitreoretinal & Cataract Surgeon · FRCS (Glasgow), MRCSEd, FICO
Crystal Clear Eye Clinic, Andheri West, Mumbai · Member, All India Ophthalmological Society & Uveitis Society of India
Advanced Retina Technology Used
Accurate diagnosis drives better surgical planning and outcomes. The clinic uses:
- OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) — high-resolution cross-sectional retinal scans for macular holes, edema and ARMD.
- Wide-field retinal imaging — to map the peripheral retina and detect tears or detachment.
- Retinal laser systems — for diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears and vascular disease.
- Micro-incision vitreoretinal surgical platforms — for sutureless, faster-recovery vitrectomy.
- Diabetic retina screening — structured follow-up to catch disease before it threatens sight.
What to Expect: Before, During & After Surgery
Before surgery
A detailed retinal examination with dilation and imaging confirms the diagnosis and the best surgical approach. Your surgeon explains the procedure, anaesthesia and realistic expectations.
During surgery
Most retina surgery is performed under local anaesthesia as a day-care procedure. Vitrectomy uses tiny, often sutureless ports. If a gas or silicone-oil tamponade is used, it helps hold the retina in place during healing.
After surgery
You will use eye drops and may need specific head positioning if a gas bubble was placed. Most patients resume light activity within one to two weeks; vision improves gradually over weeks to months. Follow-up visits monitor healing and the tamponade.
Symptoms That Need an Urgent Retina Consultation
- Sudden decrease or loss of vision
- New flashes of light
- A sudden shower of floaters
- A dark curtain or shadow across the field of vision
- Distorted, wavy or bent central vision
- Any sudden visual change in a person with diabetes
Early treatment dramatically improves the chance of preserving vision. Do not wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the success rate of retinal detachment surgery?
Is retina surgery painful?
How long does recovery after vitrectomy take?
How much does retina surgery cost in Mumbai?
Can diabetic retinopathy be cured?
Who is the best retina surgeon in Mumbai?
Retina Surgeon Serving All of Mumbai
Patients travel to Crystal Clear Eye Clinic for retina surgery from across the city and the western suburbs:
Worried About Your Retina? Don’t Wait.
Same-day urgent slots available for sudden vision loss, flashes, floaters and retinal symptoms. Book a consultation with Dr. Jignesh Gala today.
Popular Retina Surgery Searches
Clinical References
- Vitrectomy versus scleral buckle for retinal detachment without posterior vitreous detachment. Scientific Reports, 2024. nature.com
- Six-Month Primary Success Rate for Retinal Detachment between Vitrectomy and Scleral Buckling (Japan-RD Registry). Retina, 2021. PubMed
- Outcomes and predictive factors in scleral buckle surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (BEAVRS/EURETINA). Graefe’s Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, 2026. Springer
- Anti-VEGF drugs compared with laser photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy: systematic review & meta-analysis. Health Technology Assessment, 2025.
- Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Anti-VEGF for Diabetic Retinopathy in the Indian Population. NCBI / PMC. PMC
Leading peer-reviewed journals in this field include Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology Retina, Retina, the American Journal of Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, the British Journal of Ophthalmology, Eye, Graefe’s Archive, and the International Journal of Retina and Vitreous.
