Floaters in front of the eyes — are they dangerous?
One or two floaters that have drifted for years without changing are usually not dangerous: they are shadows from clumps in the vitreous gel. Get them looked at during a routine back-of-the-eye exam. If floaters appear suddenly, in a swarm or together with flashes, come in the same day: this happens with a retinal tear. If long-standing floaters get in the way of reading and driving, they can be cleared with a laser — vitreolysis costs 100,000 ₸ per eye.
What should I do if a shadow or curtain appears in front of my eye?
Call the clinic the same day: +7 771 848 00 00. A dark veil that doesn’t go away often means retinal detachment. It is treated with surgery, and the sooner it’s done, the more vision can be saved. Don’t wait for it to pass on its own. The clinic is open Mon–Sat 9:00–19:00. At night or on Sunday, if your vision suddenly gets worse, don’t wait until morning — call an ambulance on 103.
Can retinal detachment be treated without surgery?
No. A detached retina doesn’t go back into place by itself, and drops or tablets won’t stick it back. A tear is sealed with laser photocoagulation while there’s no detachment yet. If detachment has started, vitreoretinal surgery is needed — at RB CLINIC it’s performed by Dr. Zhanysbayev, 1,000,000 ₸ per eye.
Does retinal laser photocoagulation hurt?
The eye is numbed with drops, there’s no incision, and you sit at the lamp as at a normal visit. You’ll see bright flashes during the laser; it can be uncomfortable at times, but no general anaesthesia is needed. For the first day or two, vision may be slightly blurry.
How much does retina treatment cost?
A dilated back-of-the-eye exam is 20,000 ₸ per visit, a macular OCT scan 10,000 ₸ for both eyes. Retinal laser photocoagulation is from 50,000 ₸ per eye, per stage, an eye injection from 180,000 ₸ per injection, drug extra, and vitrectomy 1,000,000 ₸ per eye. The doctor will tell you how many stages or injections you need after the exam.
Why is the drug for an eye injection paid for separately?
The injection price covers the procedure itself. The drug is chosen for the diagnosis: Bevyu, Eylea and Vabismo work differently and cost differently. The doctor will tell you which one you need and how many injections after the OCT.
How often should the retina be checked with diabetes?
Once a year, even if you see well: diabetes changes the retinal blood vessels without pain or floaters. If there are already changes, the doctor will tell you how often to come. A stage of laser photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy is 50,000 ₸ per eye, per stage.
Can I drive after the exam or laser?
Better not. For the exam and laser, the pupil is widened with drops, and for a few hours everything is blurry and light is dazzling. Come by taxi or with someone who can drive, and bring sunglasses.