What is Retinal Detachment?

The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends visual messages through the optic nerve to the brain. When the retina detaches, it is lifted or pulled from its normal position. If not promptly treated, retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss.

What causes Retinal Detachment?

Retinal detachment is caused by a combination of factors including Retinal Breaks (holes & tears), liquefaction of the vitreous (PVD) and mechanical forces on the retina, often referred to as "traction".

What causes Retinal Holes, Retinal Breaks or Retinal Tears?

The most common conditions are -

• Hereditary abnormalities of the peripheral retina
• Family History of Retinal tears or holes
• Association with Myopia (near-sightedness)
• Eye Trauma
• Complications of Eye Surgery
• Posterior Vitreous Detachment
• Various Retinal Diseases

What is the Relationship between Myopia and Retinal Detachment?

Simply having a longer eye associated with myopia probably does not cause retinal detachment, tears, holes, or breaks. A variety of peripheral retinal degenerations such as lattice degeneration are often genetically linked to myopia and may cause retinal holes, breaks, or tears. The statistical incidence of having retinal holes, tears and detachment is higher in myopes.

What are the Symptoms of Retinal Detachment?

Symptoms include a sudden or gradual increase in either the number of floaters, which are little "cobwebs" or specks that float about in your field of vision, and or light flashes in the eye. Another symptom is the appearance of a curtain over the field of vision. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency. Anyone experiencing the symptoms of a retinal detachment should see an eye specialist immediately.

Can Retinal Detachment cause Total Blindness?

Yes, if the retinal detachment is not treated at the earliest is may cause total and permanent loss of vision. The longer the retina remains detached from its place,the greater is the retinal damage and the less is the chance of visual recovery. There is no medicine, eye drop, vitamin, herb, or diet that is beneficial to patients with retinal detachment.

How is Retinal Detachment Treated?

Small holes and tears are treated with Laser Surgery or a freeze treatment called Cryopexy. These procedures are usually performed on an out patient basis. During laser surgery tiny thermal reactions are made around the hole to weld the retina back into place. Cryopexy freezes the area around the hole and helps reattach the retina.

Retinal detachments are treated with surgery that may require the patient to stay in the hospital. In some cases a Scleral Buckle, a tiny synthetic band, is attached to the outside of the eyeball to gently push the wall of the eye against the detached retina. If necessary, a Vitrectomy may also be performed.

With modern therapy, a good number of patients with a retinal detachment can be successfully treated, although sometimes a second treatment is needed. However, the visual outcome is not always predictable. The final visual result may not be known for up to several months following surgery. Even under the best of circumstances, and even after multiple attempts at repair, treatment sometimes fails and vision may eventually be lost. Visual results are best if the retinal detachment is repaired at the earliest and before the macula (the center region of the retina responsible for fine, detailed vision) detaches. That is why it is important to contact an eye specialist immediately if you see a sudden or gradual increase in the number of floaters and or light flashes, or a dark curtain over the field of vision.