That is why it is important to contact an eye care professional urgently if you see a sudden or gradual increase in the number of floaters and/or light flashes, or a dark curtain over the field of vision. Visual results are best if the retinal detachment is repaired before the macula (the center region of the retina responsible for fine, detailed vision) detaches. Even under the best of circumstances, and even after multiple attempts at repair, treatment sometimes fails and vision may eventually be lost. The final visual result may not be known for up to several months following surgery. However, the visual outcome is not always predictable. With modern therapy, over 90 percent of those with a retinal detachment can be successfully treated, although sometimes a second treatment is needed. With all of these procedures, either laser or freezing is used to “weld” the retina back in place. During the healing process, the eye makes fluid that gradually replaces the gas and fills the eye. Gas is often injected to into the eye to replace the vitreous and reattach the retina the gas pushes the retina back against the wall of the eye. Next, small instruments are placed into the eye to remove the gel that fills the back of the eye, called vitreous. During a vitrectomy, the doctor makes tiny incisions in the eye. In some cases a scleral buckle, a small synthetic band, is attached to the outside of the eye to gently push the wall of the eye against the detached retina. Retinal detachments may also be treated with surgery in the operating room. Special positioning of the head may be required if gas is injected into the eye. Laser or freezing can be used to create a “weld” around the break that caused the detachment. Sometimes, gas can be injected into the eye, which can be used to seal the break or breaks in the retina and push the retina back in place. This procedure can be appropriate if the area of detached retina is small and located away from the area of central vision. Sometimes, it is appropriate to surround the area of detached retina with laser burns, which “weld” the retina in place. Retinal detachments can sometimes be treated by in-office surgery. These procedures usually prevent the retina from detaching. Occasionally, freezing is used to create an adhesion instead of laser. During laser surgery, tiny burns are created around breaks in the retina to cause an adhesion to form, “welding” the retina around the break and keeping the retina in place. Sometimes, retinal tears and holes (breaks in the retina which cause retinal detachments) can be treated before the retina detaches. Anyone experiencing the symptoms of a retinal detachment or retinal break should see an eye care professional urgently. Retinal detachments and retinal breaks are urgent conditions. Sometimes, there are no preceding symptoms. Another symptom is the appearance of a curtain over the field of vision, which can indicate that the retina has detached. Floaters and flashes may indicate that your retina has developed a break. Symptoms include a sudden or gradual increase in either the number of floaters, which are little “cobwebs” or specks that float about in your field of vision, and/or light flashes in the eye. What are the symptoms of retinal breaks and retinal detachments? Have other eye diseases or disorders, such as retinoschisis, uveitis, degenerative myopia, or lattice degeneration.Have a family history of retinal detachment.Have had a retinal detachment in the other eye.It affects men more than women and Caucasians more than African Americans.Ī retinal detachment is also more likely to occur in people who: Who is at risk for retinal detachment?Ī retinal detachment can occur at any age, but it is more common in people over age 40. Traction can occur as the vitreous pulls away from the retina, which occurs with age, trauma, surgery, inflammation, and near sightedness. Retinal breaks are often caused by traction from the vitreous, the gel that fills the back of the eye. These areas, called retinal breaks, can lead to retinal detachment. In some eyes there may be small areas of the retina that are torn, or holes may develop. If not promptly treated, retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss. When the retina detaches, it is lifted or pulled from its normal position. The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends visual messages through the optic nerve to the brain. Retinal Detachment, Retinal Holes and Tears
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