5 Retinal Detachment Facts You Need to Know
Dr. Cooney is a practicing vitreoretinal surgeon who was previously an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University and later became the director of the Medical Retina Service, the Duke Center for Macular Degeneration, and the medical retina fellowship program from 2001 to 2005. He received a MBA degree... more
The retina is an essential part of the eye. It’s a thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye that captures light and turns it into signals that are sent to the brain, allowing us to see. You can think of the retina as the film in a camera, where light is captured, processed, and sent to the brain for interpretation. To do its job correctly, the retina must stay attached to the inside back wall of the eye.
However, in certain situations, the retina can become detached from this wall, leading to a condition called retinal detachment. When this happens, the retina can’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly, which can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated quickly.
In this article, we'll explain what retinal detachment is, how it occurs, what signs to watch out for, and the treatment options available.
1. What Is Retinal Detachment?
Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the back wall of the eye. This can lead to serious vision problems because, without proper blood supply, the retina begins to deteriorate. When the retina detaches, it can no longer transmit visual information to the brain, resulting in blurred or lost vision.
The retina depends on its attachment to the eye's back wall to stay healthy. If it detaches, parts of it may die due to lack of nourishment, which can cause permanent damage to your eyesight if not addressed quickly.
2. Signs and symptoms of retinal detachment
There are a few key warning signs that may indicate retinal detachment. If you notice any of these, you should seek medical attention immediately:
- New Floaters: Floaters are small, dark spots or squiggly lines that appear in your field of vision. They move when you move your eyes. In some cases, they may look like cobwebs or shadows. While floaters are common and usually harmless, a sudden increase in floaters can be a sign of retinal detachment.
- New Flashing Lights: This can appear as brief flashes or sparks of light, often in your peripheral vision. These flashing lights may occur when the retina is being tugged or pulled on.
- A Curtain Over Part of Your Vision: One of the most alarming symptoms of retinal detachment is the appearance of a gray or black curtain moving across part of your vision. This can block your sight and is often an indicator that the retina is detaching.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. Retinal detachment can progress quickly and may lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
3. Causes and risk factors of retinal detachment
Several factors can contribute to retinal detachment, and understanding these can help you understand why it occurs.
- Aging: As you age, the gel-like substance inside the eye, called the vitreous, naturally begins to shrink and may pull away from the retina. In most people, this process doesn’t cause any problems, but in some cases, it can create small tears or holes in the retina, which can lead to detachment.
- Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: This is the most common form of retinal detachment and occurs when the vitreous gel pulls away from the retina, causing a tear. Fluid from the vitreous then seeps through the tear and lifts the retina away from the back wall of the eye.
- Tractional Retinal Detachment: This type of detachment happens when scar tissue on the retina’s surface pulls it away from the back of the eye. This is often seen in people with diabetic retinopathy, where damage from diabetes causes scar tissue to form.
- Other Eye Conditions: Retinal detachment can also be caused by eye infections, inflammation, or injury to the eye. Additionally, people who have had eye surgery or certain genetic conditions may have a higher risk of retinal detachment.
4. Diagnosis of retinal detachment
If retinal detachment is suspected, your doctor will conduct a thorough eye examination. The first step is usually a dilated eye exam, where eye drops are used to widen the pupil so the doctor can see the back of the eye more clearly. This allows them to check for signs of a detached retina.
In some cases, if the eye exam isn’t conclusive, additional imaging tests like optical coherence tomography (OCT) or ultrasonography may be used to get more detailed images of the retina. These tests help determine the extent and location of the detachment.
5. Treatment options for retinal detachment
Retinal detachment repair is most effective when performed early. If you notice any signs of retinal detachment, it’s important to see a doctor immediately to prevent permanent damage.
The treatment plan will depend on the severity of the detachment and the specific cause. Some options include:
- Laser Surgery: For small tears or holes in the retina, laser treatment can help seal the tear and prevent further detachment.
- Pneumatic Retinopexy: This involves injecting a gas bubble into the eye to push the retina back into place. The bubble helps hold the retina against the eye wall while it heals.
- Scleral Buckling: This procedure involves placing a small silicone band around the outside of the eye to push the retina back into its proper position.
- Vitrectomy: In some cases, a vitrectomy may be needed. This involves removing the vitreous gel to relieve traction on the retina and allow the retina to reattach.
It’s important to note that the success of treatment largely depends on how quickly the detachment is addressed. If left untreated, retinal detachment can lead to permanent blindness.
