Conditions

Retinal detachment occurs when the retina of the eye is pulled away from the underlying tissue to which it is attached. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency which can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated. In most cases, the detachment is a slowly progressing issue which must be treated once symptoms are realized. In some cases, a detachment occurs due to a trauma which causes a tear in the retina, allowing fluid to enter the vitreous and pull on the retinal tissue.

Retinal detachment can be complication of cataract surgery. A severe inflammation may alter the position of the retinal tissue and begin the detachment process. Other causes of a retinal detachment may be as follows:

• Nearsightedness
• A retinal tear
• Family history of retinal detachment
• Glaucoma
• Cataract surgery
• Trauma
• Existing eye condition

Symptoms of retinal detachment may progress slowly or rapidly, but both should be reported to a medical doctor as soon as possible so as to minimize the risk of vision loss. Some of the symptoms of a retinal detachment include:

• A sudden decrease in visual acuity
• A sudden increase in the amount of “floaters” in vision
• Bright flashes in the periphery
• An unnatural “curving” of straight lines
• Loss of central vision
• A dense shadow throughout the visual field

The patient should be taken to an emergency room as quickly as possible.

Diagnosis of a retinal detachment is made after a thorough medical eye examination and the performance of the following diagnostic tests:

• Dilated eye examination
• Ultrasound of the eye
• Fundus photography of the retina
• Visual acuity test
• Slit-lamp examination
• Electroretinogram
• Fluorescein angiography
• Ophthalmoscopy

A retinal detachment may be treated in many ways, which may include one or both of the following:

• Cryotherapy
• Laser photocoagulation
• Pneumatic retinopexy
• Scleral buckle
• Vitrectomy

Most surgeries to repair a retinal detachment are successful. In some cases, a second procedure will need to be performed. After a successful procedure, vision will take time to improve but may not return to previous levels of acuity.