25th RCOphth Congress, President's Session paper: 25 years of progress in vitreoretinal surgery

Abstract

Over the past 25 years, vitreoretinal surgery has undergone considerable change in technology, techniques, and professional organisation. Many conditions that were considered untreatable in 1988 are now treated routinely by vitreoretinal surgeons. Over the same period, vitreoretinal surgery has become a separate subspecialty with its own scientific meetings and professional organisation. This article describes a noncomprehensive selection of some of the highlights of the past 25 years, including the establishment and growth of BEAVRS (British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons), the revolution in the management of macular holes, the development of submacular surgery, and the introduction of sutureless vitrectomy.

Figure 1

Dye-assisted pealing during vitrectomy surgery for a full-thickness macular hole.

Figure 2

Treatment of a retinal detachment of the type enrolled into the SPR study with vitrectomy showing a fluid–air exchange.

Figure 3

Autofluorescence image of a subfoveal RPE patch. The activity of the patch is in contrast to that of the surrounding defect in the RPE created by the removal of a type 1 CNV.