Ophthalmology in Lagos
Retinal detachment surgery: flashes, floaters or a shadow need the same day
A written all-in price after a ₦35,000 consultation in Lagos, so you know the total before anything is booked.
How the price is set
Consultation, then a written price
₦35,000
Consultant ophthalmology opinion
- Surgeon and theatre
- Anaesthetist and the anaesthetic
- Gas or silicone oil, laser or freezing used during the repair
- Drops after surgery
Your written price covers the lines above, agreed before you pay.
Retinal Detachment Surgery at Mezo Health in Lagos, Nigeria is priced in a written quote after a ₦35,000 consultation, because the right operation and its cost depend on what the surgeon finds. The quote covers surgeon and theatre, anaesthetist and the anaesthetic, and drops after surgery. Prices last checked 23 October 2026.
The retina is the thin seeing layer at the back of the eye. When it tears and lifts away, it stops working, and without repair the eye usually goes blind. A tear caught before it detaches can often be sealed with laser in the clinic. A detachment needs an operation: a vitrectomy from inside the eye, a scleral buckle stitched to the outside, or a gas bubble with freezing or laser. The surgeon chooses the method from what the examination shows.
Also called: Retinal detachment repair, Detached retina surgery, Vitrectomy, Scleral buckle, Pneumatic retinopexy, Laser for a retinal tear
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
How the price is set
Written quote after consultation
Consultant ophthalmology opinion: ₦35,000
Your price is a written quote on the day of the examination, because the method, the gas or oil used, and the anaesthetic depend on the detachment. Urgent cases are priced and booked the same day, and the price does not move without your written agreement.
What your written quote covers
- Surgeon and theatre
- Anaesthetist and the anaesthetic
- Gas or silicone oil, laser or freezing used during the repair
- Drops after surgery
- Reviews in the first weeks
Not in the quote
- The first consultation and the retinal scan
- A second operation to remove silicone oil, where oil is used, quoted separately
- A cataract operation later, which vitrectomy can bring on sooner
- Further surgery if the retina detaches again
What decides your quote
- Laser for a tear alone, in the clinic, which costs far less than surgery
- Vitrectomy, scleral buckle or a gas bubble
- Silicone oil, which needs a second operation to remove
- A general rather than local anaesthetic
If an HMO is paying, the case needs prior authorisation before admission. Bring your HMO number to the first consultation and the desk will start it. If the plan declines, you are told the cash price before anything is booked.
Who this is for
- A retinal detachment confirmed on examination
- A retinal tear, treated with laser or freezing before it detaches
- Sudden flashes, a shower of new floaters, or a shadow or curtain across the vision, which need an examination today
- Short-sighted people, people who have had cataract surgery and people with an eye injury, who are at higher risk
When it is not the right answer
- A few long-standing floaters with no flashes and no change in vision, which are usually harmless but still worth one dilated check
- Vision loss from another cause, such as cataract or glaucoma, which the examination will identify
The pathway, step by step
- 1
Examined the same day₦35,000
A dilated look at the whole retina, with a scan if needed. Tell the desk you have flashes, new floaters or a shadow, so you are seen first.
- 2
Laser for a tear
If the retina is torn but not detached, laser in the clinic can seal it the same day.
- 3
A written price, the same day
For a detachment, the method and the price in writing, so surgery is not delayed.
- 4
The operation
Usually one to two hours, under local or general anaesthetic.
- 5
Positioning at home
If gas is used, you may be asked to keep your head in a set position for some days, so the bubble presses on the repair.
- 6
Reviews₦25,000
The next day, then over the following weeks.
Recovery, realistically
Days 1 to 7
The eye is sore and red. Keep to the head position you are given. Drops as written.
While gas is in the eye
Vision is very blurred. No flying and no travel to high altitude. Tell any doctor giving you an anaesthetic, because one anaesthetic gas must be avoided.
Weeks 2 to 8
The gas absorbs and vision gradually returns. Rest from heavy lifting and contact sport.
Months after
Central vision can keep improving for months. How much returns depends on how long the retina was detached.
Risks you should be told about
- The retina detaching again, needing further surgery
- Raised eye pressure
- A cataract developing sooner after vitrectomy
- Vision not fully returning, especially if the centre of the retina was detached
- Infection or bleeding inside the eye, rare
- Double vision after a scleral buckle, usually settling
Every operation carries risk. A surgeon who lists none is not being straight with you. Yours will go through these with you before you consent.
Questions people ask
How urgent is a retinal detachment?
Very. If the centre of vision is still working, repair before it detaches keeps far more sight. Flashes, new floaters or a shadow mean you should be examined today, not next week.
Can a retinal detachment heal on its own?
No. Without repair a detached retina almost always leads to loss of sight in that eye. Drops and medicines do not reattach it.
Will my sight come back?
Often some or most of it, but not always all. It depends mainly on whether the centre of the retina had detached and for how long. The surgeon tells you what to expect for your eye.
Why can I not fly after surgery?
If a gas bubble is used, the change in air pressure on a flight can make it expand and raise the eye pressure dangerously. You are told when it is safe.
Why is there no fixed price on this page?
Because the method depends on the detachment, and some need silicone oil and a second operation. You get the price in writing on the day of the examination, so the repair is not delayed.
Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Detached retina (retinal detachment). NHS. Patient information.
- Floaters and flashes in the eyes. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 23 October 2026.
Prices shown are in naira and were last checked on 23 October 2026. A “from” price is the all-in starting price for the standard case. Every operation is confirmed in a written quote after your consultation, because the right operation for you, and its cost, depend on what the surgeon finds.