Detached Retina

A Detached Retina occurs when the retina is pulled or lifted away from its normal position. The retina is a light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye. It converts visual images into nerve impulses in the brain that allow us to see.

Causes

Many factors can cause retinal detachment. These include:
  • Eye trauma – damage from blunt or penetrating injuries to the eye, which may be caused by:
    • Sports-related activities
    • Blunt trauma
    • Flying objects
  • Severe near-sightedness – this causes an unusually elongated eyeball, which increases pressure in the eye and can result in retinal detachment
  • Cataract surgery – this type of surgery can increase the risk of retinal detachment due to:
    • Postoperative scar tissue
    • Postoperative changes in the vitreous fluid
  • Scar tissue in the eye, especially if it contracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Diabetes
  • Severe high blood pressure
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Tumors in the eye

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for retinal detachment include:
  • Increasing age – with age, changes occur in the eye that result in leaking of the vitreous fluid. This is a gel-like substance that fills the middle of the eye. In some cases, vitreous fluid leaks behind the retina. This can cause retinal detachment.
  • Previous retinal detachment in the other eye.
  • Family members with retinal detachment.

Symptoms

Retinal Detachment is painless. However, if it is not treated quickly, a detached retina can cause permanent partial or total vision loss. If you have any of these symptoms, contact an eye doctor immediately:
  • Sudden appearance or increase in the number of “floaters,” which are semi-transparent shapes that float in the eye and are seen in the field of vision
  • Brief, bright flashes of light in the eye
  • Loss of the eye’s central or peripheral field of vision
  • A curtain appears to fall over part of the visual field
  • Sudden changes or blurring of vision

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a thorough eye exam. Tests may include:
  • Eye exam – the pupil is dilated with eye drops, and the inside of the eye is examined with a hand-held lighted instrument called an ophthalmoscope
  • Visual field testing – tests of central and peripheral vision
  • Ultrasound – the use of sound waves to examine the eye

Treatment

Treatments may include:
Non-surgical procedures:
Cryotherapy (or cryoretinopexy) – a freezing probe is used to seal the retina back into its normal position.
Diathermy – heat is used to seal the retina back into its normal position.
Laser retinopexy – a laser is used to make tiny burns around the area of detachment. This pushes and holds the retina back into its normal position.
Pneumatic retinopexy – a special type of gas bubble is injected near the area of detachment. The gas bubble pushes the retina back into place. This procedure can be done in conjunction with surgery.
Surgical procedures:
Vitrectomy – the surgical removal of vitreous fluid that is pulling on the retina and causing detachment.
Scleral buckle – the surgical placement of a flexible band around the eye. This band counteracts the force in the eye that is causing the retinal detachment

Prevention

To help prevent Retinal Detachment do the following:
  • Always wear protective eye-wear or goggles when:
    • Participating in contact sports
    • Participating in activities that involve flying objects
  • If you have diabetes, try to maintain:
    • Blood sugar levels as normal as possible
    • A steady blood pressure, avoiding large swings between highs and lows
  • Have regular eye exams, at least once a year if you are at risk (depending on your age and risk factors, you may need to see the eye doctor more often)
  • Contact an eye doctor immediately if you have:
    • An eye injury
    • Any symptoms of retinal detachment