A pneumatic retinopexy is used to treat which ocular condition?

Pneumatic retinopexy is a surgical procedure specifically designed for the treatment of retinal detachment, which involves the separation of the retina from its underlying supportive tissue. This type of surgical intervention uses a gas bubble to push the detached retina back into position against the eye wall. The gas bubble helps to hold the retina in place as the eye heals, allowing for the reattachment of the retinal layers.

In this process, the surgeon injects a small amount of gas into the vitreous cavity of the eye, which then rises to the top. The patient may be positioned in a certain way to facilitate the gas bubble's effect in pushing the retina back toward the wall of the eye, enabling proper healing. This procedure is particularly effective for certain types of retinal detachments, particularly those that involve a tear in the retina.

The other conditions listed—such as macular holes, cataracts, and glaucoma—are not treated with pneumatic retinopexy. Each of these conditions has its own specific treatment protocols and would not benefit from the techniques used in pneumatic retinopexy that are tailored for retinal detachment repair.