What you need to know about retinal detachment

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

When symptoms appear, detachment cannot be expected. Otherwise, you can lose your eyesight.

What is Retinal Detachment

This is when part of the inner thin tissue of the eye - the retina - is detached by the Retinal detachment / Mayo Clinic from the vascular layer located in front of the sclera. The retina contains cells that perceive color and light, and then transmit impulses to the brain. Due to detachment, blood does not flow to the cells, they cease to receive the necessary substances and die, and the person loses his sight.

The sooner help is provided, the higher the likelihood of avoiding serious consequences. Therefore, if you suspect a detachment, you need to call an ambulance or urgently consult an ophthalmologist.

How to recognize a retinal detachment

When the retina begins to peel off, the person does not feel pain, however, certain symptoms appear Retinal detachment / Mayo Clinic:

• Many floating spots suddenly appear in front of the eyes.
• Vision becomes cloudy.
• There are flashes of light in one or both eyes.
• Side vision gradually decreases.
• At a certain position of the eyes, there is a feeling that something is hanging over and creating a shadow.

Why does retinal detachment occur and how does it happen

There are three types of Retinal detachment / Mayo Clinic pathology, each of which has its own reasons:

• Rhegmatogenous. This is the most common variation that occurs due to the natural aging of the body. The fact is that the inside of the eye is filled with a gel-like vitreous body. In older people, it may become thinner or dry out, which also leads to the release of fluid. If, at the same time, a crack appears spontaneously in the retina, fluid will seep through it and begin to delaminate the tissue.
• Exudative. In this case, fluid also accumulates under the retina, but there are no tears or cracks in the tissue. This type of detachment can occur due to age-related macular degeneration (a special part of the retina), trauma, tumor, or inflammation of the eye. The permeability of the vessels increases, and the plasma from them is released into the tissues.
• Traction. This type of detachment can develop in people with diabetes. Because of this, scar tissue forms on the surface of the retina, which increases tension and tears the retina away from the inside of the eye.

Who can have retinal detachment

Anyone can get this disease, but the risk is higher with certain Retinal Detachment / National Eye Institute factors:

• Heredity.
• Previous eye injury.
• Eye surgery, such as cataract removal.
• Diabetes. In this disease, the blood vessels of the retina are damaged.
• Severe myopia (over -6 diopters).
• Separation of the retina into two layers (retinoschisis).
• Posterior vitreous detachment. Then the gel-like liquid leaves the retina and can pull it along.
• Thinning of the retina (lattice degeneration).

How is retinal detachment treated?

You will need to do one of three types of Retinal Detachment: Diagnosis and Treatment / American Academy of Ophthalmology. The choice of the method depends on the type of pathology, its age and the place of detachment.

Pneumatic retinopexy

Through the pupil, using a thin needle, the doctor removes some liquid from the eye and injects an air bubble there. If there is a break on the retina, then it is cauterized with Surgery for Retinal Detachment / National Eye Institute with a laser or liquid nitrogen.

The bubble presses the exfoliated tissue, and when it grows together, it will dissolve without a trace. So that the air does not move from the right place, for several days the head will have to be held in a special position, which the doctor will show.

Vitrectomy

This operation is similar to the previous Retinal Detachment: Diagnosis and Treatment / American Academy of Ophthalmology, but the doctor removes the vitreous completely. Instead, gas or silicone oil is injected to press down on the retina.

Gradually, the place of detachment will grow together, the eye will highlight a new vitreous body. The gas will dissipate by itself. But the Retinal detachment / Mayo Clinic oil will have to be removed after a few months.

Extrascleral filling

If the retinal detachment can be reached, an elastic silicone tape is sewn onto the white part of the eye (sclera) under the eyelid just above the tear. It is attached to the eye itself and tightens its tissues so that they squeeze the place of detachment.

If the detachment occurs in several areas at once, the doctor can make a constriction in the form of a belt across the entire eye. The silicone strips will remain forever, but will not interfere with your vision.

What will happen after treatment

You will have to wear an eye patch for several days. After pneumatic retinopexy and vitrectomy, it is also forbidden to fly an airplane, dive with scuba diving, be in the mountains and lift weights until the eye heals.

For several weeks after the operation, a person may be disturbed by the unpleasant symptoms of Retinal Detachment: Diagnosis and Treatment / American Academy of Ophthalmology, which are considered normal:

• discomfort in the eye;
• mild pain that can be relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers
• floating spots or cloudiness;
• flashes of light;
• a vesicle that can be seen with peripheral vision if pneumatic retinopexy has been done.

After the operation, you need to see a doctor, because sometimes there are complications Retinal Detachment: Diagnosis and Treatment / American Academy of Ophthalmology. It can be:

• Bleeding.
• Infection in the eye.
• Increased intraocular pressure that leads to glaucoma.
• Lens clouding, or cataract.

Vision will begin to improve 4–6 weeks after surgery, and final recovery may take several months or an entire year. If a large area of the retina has detached or the operation was performed late, then vision may remain poor.

Some people have to have surgery again if the retina is not fully attached or is detached again.