What is retinal detachment?
When you have a retinal detachment, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye separates from the blood vessels that nourish it. There are different types of retinal detachments.
Rhegmatogenous
These detachments are typically due to age-related tears or holes in the retina.
Tractional
Tractional detachments are most common in people with diabetes or other health conditions that lead to scar tissue growth on the retina.
Exudative
This form of retinal detachment is the result of fluid accumulation beneath the retina, not holes or tears. Exudative detachments are often due to macular degeneration, inflammatory disorders, or eye injury.
Retinal detachments are an emergency condition that can lead to permanent vision loss without treatment.
What are the symptoms of retinal detachment?
When your retina detaches, there isn’t any pain. If you’re at risk of a retinal detachment, you typically experience several visual symptoms in advance, such as:
- Photopsia, or light flashes in one or both eyes
- Blurred vision
- Many drifting specs, or floaters, suddenly appearing
- Diminishing peripheral vision
- A shadow over your field of vision
Several factors increase your risk of retinal detachment, including being over 50, having a severe eye injury or surgery, and being extremely nearsighted.
How is retinal detachment diagnosed and treated?
Dr. Mayans can diagnose retinal issues during an eye exam that looks at the back of your eye. If your retina hasn’t detached but needs repair, Dr. Mayans might recommend surgical treatments like laser surgery or freezing.
Surgery is the most common treatment for retinal detachment. Dr. Mayans makes recommendations on the best procedure to restore your retinal health based on the extent of your detachment.
The most common surgical treatments for retinal detachment include:
- Pneumatic retinopexy: injecting an air bubble into your eye to press your retina back into place
- Scleral buckling: indenting the white of your eye to relieve pressure pulling on your retina
- Vitrectomy: removing fluid and tissue tugging your retina and then injecting gas, air, or silicone oil into the space to flatten it
After your retinal detachment treatment, it can take several months for your condition to improve, and additional surgery may be needed. In some cases, your vision can’t be completely restored.
For more information on retinal detachment, call Jose Mayans, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.
