Detached retina (retinal detachment)

Description The retina is pulle...

Description

The retina is pulled away from the back of the eye (choroid) causing the cells of the retina to lose their blood supply. The retina is the "film" of the eye that allows light to be detected and is necessary for proper sight. The longer the retina stays detached the more likely permanent damage and permanent loss of vision will occur. Early diagnosis and treatment can save the vision of the eye. The most common causes of this disorder include: trauma, diabetes, and inflammation of the eye and aging of the jelly-like fluid in front of the retina (the vitreous). Retinal detachment is more common in patients over 40, those with a family history of the disease, and in extreme near sightedness.

Symptoms

Sudden appearance of floaters (spots or strings in the field of vision), sudden flashes of light, loss of vision (described as a shadow or veil), sudden blurry vision.

Tests

Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment

Workup:
A history and physical exam will be done. A health professional can sometimes see the detachment of the retina with an ophthalmoscope (a special magnifying viewer). Many times the defect in the retina cannot be seen unless an ophthalmologist uses a special lens called a gonioscope.

Specialists:
Ophthalmology

Treatment

Treatment within the first 24-48 hours of the sudden symptoms is essential: the longer the retina is detached the more likely permanent loss of sight will occur. Very simple and small detachments may not require treatment. However, particularly if the retina also is torn, immediate treatment is required. The most common treatments use beams of laser light or freezing (cryopexy) to reattach the retina to its proper location in the back of the eye. Surgery for the detachment includes: pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckling, or vitrectomy.