RETINAL DETACHMENT
What is Retinal Detachment?
Retinal detachment is a separation of the light-sensitive membrane in the back of the eye (retina) from its supporting layers. Retinal detachment is also referred to as a detached retina or retinal tear.
The retina is a transparent membrane at the back of the eye that processes the images focused on it by the cornea and the lens. Retinal detachments are often associated with a tear or hole in the retina through which the internal fluids of the eye may leak, causing separation of the retina from the underlying tissues. This may be caused by trauma, the aging process, severe diabetes, or an inflammatory disorder, but it frequently occurs spontaneously. In pre-term babies, retinal detachment can be caused by retinopathy of prematurity (abnormalities of the retina associated with being premature).
During a detachment bleeding from small retinal blood vessels may cloud the interior of the eye, which is normally filled with vitreous fluid. Central vision becomes severely affected if the macula, the part of the retina responsible for fine vision, becomes detached.
What are the Symptoms of Retinal Detachment?
-
Bright flashes of light, especially in peripheral vision
-
Translucent specks of various shapes (floaters) in the eye
-
Blurred vision
-
Shadow or blindness in a part of the visual field of one eye
What are the different types of retinal detachment?
There are three different types of retinal detachment:
Rhegmatogenous [reg-ma-TAH-jenous] -- A tear or break in the retina allows fluid to get under the retina and separate it from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), the pigmented cell layer that nourishes the retina. These types of retinal detachments are the most common.
Tractional -- In this type of detachment, scar tissue on the retina's surface contracts and causes the retina to separate from the RPE. This type of detachment is less common.
Exudative -- Frequently caused by retinal diseases, including inflammatory disorders and injury/trauma to the eye. In this type, fluid leaks into the area underneath the retina, but there are no tears or breaks in the retina.
How is Retinal Detachment Treated?
Laser surgery can be used to seal the tears or holes in the retina that generally precede detachment.
The application of intense cold with an ice probe (known as cryopexy), leads to the formation of a scar that holds the retina to the underlying layer. This technique is used in combination with the injection of a gas bubble and the maintenance of specific head positions to prevent the reaccumulation fluid behind the retina.
Surgical reattachment involves indentation of the sclera to relieve pressure on the retina, allowing it to re-attach.