Retinal Detachment

A Retinal detachment occurs when the retina’s sensory and pigment layers separate. Retinal detachment can led to destructive damage to the vision, if it is treated properly. Hence, the retinal detachment is taken to be as ocular emergency that requires immediate medical care and surgery. This condition, that is retinal detachment is commonly seen in middle aged people and in elderly people.

Causes of Retinal Detachment

First Type of Retinal detachment occurs when there is a break in the sensory layer of the retina. Due to this the fluid seeps underneath and thereby causing the layers of the retina to separate. Those people who are suffering from near sightedness, or have undergone eye surgery or have experienced a serious eye injury are at greater risk for this type of retinal detachment. The people suffering from near sightedness are more prone to develop this type are retinal detachment because their eyes are longer then average from front to back and thus causing the retina to be thinner and more fragile.

The Second type of Retinal Detachment occurs when strands of vitreous or scar tissue create traction on the retina and thus pulling it loose. Patients suffering from diabetes are more susceptible to develop this type of Retinal Detachment.

The Third Type of Retinal Detachment occurs when fluid collects underneath the layers of the retina, thus causing it to separate from the back wall of the eye. This type usually occurs in combination with another disease affecting the eye that causes swelling or bleeding.

Signs and Symptoms of Retinal Detachment

(1) Patient may experience sudden decrease of vision.

(2) There may be veil or curtain which obstructs the vision.

(3) There may be shower of floaters that are similar to spots, bugs or spider webs.

(4) Patient may experience Wavy of watery vision.

(5) He/she may also experience light flashes

Treatment of Retinal Detachment

There are a number of ways to treatment retinal detachment. The adequate treatment depends upon the type, severity and location of the detachment. Pneumatic retinopexy is one common procedure which is used to reattach the retina. After numbing the eye with a local anaesthesia, the surgeon injects a small gas bubble into the vitreous cavity.

The bubble presses against the retina. It flattens against the back wall of the eye. The gas bubble slowly absorbs over the next 1-2 weeks. Some type of retinal detachments, because of their location or size are best treated with a procedure called a Scleral buckle. During this process, a small sponge or band made of silicone is attached to the outside of the eye, pressing inward and thus holding the retina, in position. After removing the vitreous gel from the eye then the surgeon seals a few areas of the retina into position with laser or cryotherapy. In certain cases, where other type of retinal detachment surgeries are unsuccessful, in them silicone oil may be used to reattachment the retina. Hence, we can say that the early detection is the key in successfully treating retinal detachment.

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