Retinal tears with minimal or no detachment may be treated with laser or freezing (cryopexy) procedures. Some retinal tears do not require treatment. Most of retinal detachment require surgery to reposition the separated retina against the back wall of the eye. There are several methods in use today. The type of surgery used depends on the type and extent of detachment, and the preference of the patient and retina surgeon. Scleral buckling is the most common operation for a detached retina. In this procedure, the causative retinal tear or tears are located and treated. A flexible piece of rubber is then sewn to the sclera (white of the eye) to support the area of tears and detachment. Fluid may be drained FROM under the detached retina. Pneumatic Retinopexy is a newer method for retinal detachment repair. It is not suitable for all types of detachment. In this technique, the causative tear or tears are identified and treated. A bubble of a special gas is then injected INTO the eye. The gas is used to push against the area of the retinal tear(s). Vitrectomy is another surgical method to treat some types of retinal detachment. It is usually used for detachments with unusual or difficult features, such as very large tears, scar tissue on the retina, excessive blood in the vitreous, or detachments that failed by other methods.