Retinal Detachment :

Retinal detachment is an emergency when tissue at the back surface of the eye (the retina) pulls away and separates from underlying layer blood vessels and supportive tissue (Choroid) that provides necessary oxygen and nourishment.

Retinal detachment :

Symptoms :

Sudden loss of vision ,the retina does not work when it is detached leading to significant drop in vision. A detached retina is a serious problem.

• Seeing flashing lights all of a sudden. Some people say this is like seeing stars after being hit in the eye.
• Noticing many new floaters at once. These can look like specks, lines or cobwebs in your field of vision.
• A shadow or black curtain appearing in your peripheral (side) vision, covering part of your field of vision.

An ophthalmologist needs to check it out right away, and manage it by doing surgery as early as possible or you could lose sight in that eye.

Prompt treatment can often save vision in the eye.

How Do You Get a Detached Retina?

As we get older, the vitreous in our eyes starts to shrink and get liquified. As the eye moves, the vitreous moves around on the retina. But sometimes the vitreous may be attached to retina very tightly . As the age advances this liquified vitreous naturally seperates from the retina ,known as Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) . During this PVD induction , vitreous sometimes pulls the retina at the signs of tight adherence and may lead to retinal tear or break formation. When that happens, fluid can pass through the tear and lifts (detach) the retina.

Who Is at Risk for a Retinal Detachment?

• High myopia ( Nearsightedness)
• Serious eye injury
• History of a retinal tear or detachment in your other eye
• Family members who had retinal detachment
• Weak areas in your retina( such as lattices with holes ) (seen by an eye doctor during an exam)

How Is a Detached Retina Diagnosed?

Your ophthalmologist will put drops in your eye to dilate (widen) the pupil. Then they will look through a special lens to check your retina for any changes.

How Is a Detached Retina Treated?

Surgery is done to repair a detached retina.

Vitrectomy

The retina surgeon removes the vitreous gel pulling on the retina. And brings retina close to the underlying layer of choroid by using tamponade such as air, gas bubble or silicone oil.. The bubble pushes the retina into place so it can heal properly. If an oil bubble is used, your ophthalmologist will remove it a few months later. With an air or gas bubble, you cannot fly in an airplane, travel to high altitudes or scuba dive. This is because altitude change causes the gas to expand, increasing eye pressure.

Vitrectomy Surgery :

Scleral Buckle

A band of rubber or soft plastic is sewn to the outside of your eyeball. It gently presses the eye inward. This helps the detached retina to get well opposed to the underlying layer of choroid.