Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition that occurs where the retina, the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye, pulls away from its normal position. This medical emergency may lead to permanent vision loss if not treated quickly. Understanding the symptoms and risk factors can aid in early detection and timely treatment can significantly improve outcomes.1
Types of Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment can occur in three different ways:
- Rhegmatogenous (“reg-muh-TAH-jun-us”), detachment is the most common type and happens when a small tear in the retina allows fluid to seep underneath, separating it from the underlying tissue.
- Tractional detachment occurs when scar tissue on the retina’s surface interacts with the vitreous and pulls the retina away from the back of the eye, often seen in diabetic retinopathy.
- Exudative detachment does not involve a tear but results from excess fluid pooling under the retina due to inflammation or injury.2
Risk Factors
Those who have or have experienced any of the following are at a higher risk for retinal detachment:
- Past eye injury
- Past eye surgery (Cataract/Lens Exchange/Vitrectomy/Glaucoma)
- History of eye diseases (Uveitis, Diabetic Retinopathy, etc.)
- Past retinal detachment in one eye or family history of retinal detachment
- High myopia
- Age 50 or older2
Symptoms
It’s critical for your vision health to recognize if you are experiencing retinal detachment. Here are some symptoms to look out for:
- Abruptly seeing flashing lights or stars
- Seeing shadows in your peripheral vision
- Having a gray veil over your vision
- Detecting an increase in eye floaters (tiny specks or cobwebs drifting in your field of vision).1
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it is critical that you contact your eye doctor to further investigate the cause and discuss potential treatments.
Treatment & Recovery
All retinal detachments are treated though surgical procedures. Depending on the severity, the procedures are invasive or non-invasive.
Invasive surgical options:
- Vitrectomy – Involves the removal of the vitreous (the gel-like substance between the lens and retina of the eye) and the sealing of retinal tears with lasers or freezing.
- Scleral buckle – is the surgical process of placing a silicone or sponge “buckle” around the eye to permanently hold the retina in place.2
- Pneumatic retinopexy – is the injection of a small gas bubble against the retina which will close the tear.2
Non-Invasive surgical options:
- Laser Photocoagulation – is the use of laser energy precisely directed into the eye to seal the tear in the retina to prevent further fluid entering the tear halting further detachment.
- Cryopexy – a freezing probe is applied to the outer surface of the eye directly over the internal retinal tear to create a scar via the extreme cold to seal the tear.
For all treatment options you may feel discomfort in the weeks following your procedure, so your eye doctor may provide pain medication or eye drops to offer some relief. You should also be aware that each of these treatment options has risks of infection, bleeding, elevated intraocular pressure, and/or a chance of needing additional surgery.2 To prevent permanent vision loss, retinal detachment requires immediate medical attention. Early detection and treatment are key, so recognizing the warning signs can make all the difference in preserving sight.
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