Retinal Detachment

What is retinal detachment?

Retinal detachment is separation of the retina from the layer of blood vessels (the choroid) underneath it. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

Retinal detachment can cause blindness. It should be treated as soon as possible. If the retina is reattached soon enough, you will be able to see again. If not, your loss of vision can be permanent.

How does it occur?

Retinal detachment may occur because of:

• thinning of the retina with age
• a hole or tear in the retina
• an injury to the eye
• diseases in the eye such as:
  • tumors
  • severe swelling of the retina
  • diabetes.

Retinal detachment is more common in people who:

• are middle-aged or older
• are very nearsighted
• have had cataract surgery
• have a family history of retinal detachment.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom is painless loss of vision in your eye. Your healthy eye may take over for the other eye. You may not notice the problem at first. Symptoms of a detached retina include:

• suddenly seeing many flashes of light
• suddenly seeing many floaters, which are black spots or cobweblike shapes
• loss of peripheral (side) vision
• blurred or distorted vision, which occurs as the detachment gets worse.

If you have these symptoms, and especially if they occur suddenly, see an eye doctor right away.

How is it diagnosed?

A detached retina cannot be seen without special instruments. Therefore, you should see an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in eyes) as soon as you think you may have a problem with your vision.

How is it treated?

Almost all retinal detachments can be corrected. You will have one or more of the following procedures:

• Pneumatic retinopexy. The eye surgeon injects a gas bubble into the eye to push the retina back in place. The tears in the retina are sealed later with cryopexy (freezing) or a laser.
• Scleral buckling. If more of the retina is detached, a silicone band or sponge is placed on the outside of the eye to push the eye wall against the retina.
• Vitrectomy. The vitreous (clear gel inside the eye) may be pulling the retina away from the eye. The eye surgeon will cut the vitreous away from the retina to stop the pulling. The surgeon then fills the eyeball with air or gas to push the retina back against the wall of your eye. Over time, the air or gas is replaced with the eye's own fluids.

Usually your eye is numbed for these procedures. For most of them you can go home the same day.

You may need other minor procedures as well. Your eye doctor will check your eyes often. He or she may use laser, heat, or cold therapy later to repair any holes or tears in your retina.

How long will the effects last?

Surgery to repair a detached retina is successful in most cases. However, because the retina is very delicate and complex, there is almost always some degree of permanent damage.

If a detached retina is not treated promptly, you may lose your vision permanently.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow your doctor's instructions after surgery to help your eye heal. You will need to:

• Use the eyedrops or ointment prescribed by your doctor.
• Limit your activities for a few days.
• Keep your head in the position recommended by your doctor for a few days to a few weeks.

Several weeks after surgery, after your eye has completely healed, have your eyeglasses prescription checked to see if you need to change it.

If you have had retinal detachment in one eye, your risk of retinal detachment in the other eye is greater. See your eye doctor regularly so that any minor problems in your other eye can be corrected before they become serious.

What can I do to help prevent this from occurring?

If you are very nearsighted or have a family history of retinal detachments, see your eye doctor regularly. While you cannot prevent some changes in your eyes, you can help prevent them from seriously damaging your vision. Treating holes and tears promptly helps prevent retinal detachment.