What is Retinal Detachment?
The retina is a thin layer of light-sensitive tissue on the back wall of the eye. The light enters the eye and focuses on the retina. In turn, it transmits the image via the optic nerve to the brain. If the retina is damaged or not in the correct position, the transmission signals to the brain are impaired. And we cannot see a clear image.
A retinal detachment is an eye problem when the retina gets dislodged due to separation from its underlying tissues within the eye. Due to this detachment, it cannot function well, impairing our vision. If left untreated, the patient may lose eyesight permanently. Hence, retinal detachment ought to be corrected immediately. There are different types of retinal detachments like Rhegmatogenous, exudative or secondary and traction type depending on how the retina gets detached. It could be due to tear or break, fluid built-up without a tear, etc.
What are the signs and symptoms of Retinal detachment?
Retinal detachment does not hurt or pain, though warning signs appear in advance. These signs include
- Flashing light: Flashes are the brief sensation of what appears to be bright lights at the outside edge (periphery) of your vision.
- Floaters: Seems like black moving points, strands, or tiny flies in your eyesight.
- Vision Loss: You may experience a shadow or curtain that affects any part of the vision
Get your eyes checked with an eye specialist if you experience any of the above signs.
What are the chances of getting retinal detachment?
Retinal detachment is more likely to occur in people older than 40 years, have extreme myopic vision (nearsightedness), have a retinal detachment in one eye and eye injury due to certain sports like boxing, bungee jumping etc. Moreover, a family history of retinal detachment can increase your chance of getting it. Sometimes, cataract surgery or eye diseases like retinoschisis, uveitis and lattice degeneration can lead to retinal detachment.
How does the doctor diagnose (find out) retinal detachment?
The doctor dilates the eye with the help of eye drops, which helps in the clinical examination of the eye. If retinal detachment is suspected, ultrasonography of the eye may be advised to the patient for confirming the disease.
What is the treatment available for Retinal detachment?
Depending on the type of the retinal detachment, doctors at Maa Nursing Home and NetraJyoti Eyecare Centre offer the following advanced surgical options:
- Cryopexy
When the retinal detachment is due to a tear, break or hole, we treat with LASERs. Cryopexy is a kind of freeze treatment, where the doctor seals the tiny holes and welds back the retina to reattach it in its position.
- Scleral buckling
Sclera buckle, a tiny synthetic band is attached to the outside of the eyeball (sclera) to gently push the wall of the eye against the detached retina. This band is not visible and remains permanently attached. Scleral buckling may be used in addition to laser or freezing treatment to fix the retinal break.
- Pneumatic retinopathy
Pneumatic retinopathy involves injecting a gas bubble into the vitreous cavity. It pushes the detached part of the retina back to its place.
- Vitrectomy
Vitrectomy is the surgical procedure done when the retinal tear/ detachment is large. It involves sucking out the fluid (vitreous gel) and filling it with silicone oil or gas. This procedure helps in reattaching the retina.
- LASER Photocoagulation
The eye surgeon seals the tear or holes with the help of LASERs.