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Free Laser Vision Screening
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The retina is a nerve cell layer at the back of your eye that sees images focused onto it, and sends these images to your brain. An eye is like a camera. The lens and cornea in the front of the eye focuses light onto the retina. You can think of the retina as the film is in the back of a camera. What is a retinal detachment?A retinal detachment occurs when the retina falls or is pulled away from its normal position. The retina does not work when it is detached, and slowly starts to die. Vision is blurred, like a camera picture would be blurry if the film were flopping inside the camera. A retinal detachment is a very serious problem that almost always causes permanant blindness unless it is treated promptly. What causes retinal detachment?The vitreous is a clear gel that fills the middle of the eye. As we get older, the vitreous may contract and pull away from its attachment to the retina at the back of the eye. Usually the vitreous separates from the retina without causing problems. But sometimes the vitreous is attached strongly to the retina and pulls hard enough to tear a hole in the retina in one or more places. Fluid may pass through the retinal hole, pushing the retina off the back of the eye, like wallpaper can peel off a wall. The following conditions increase the chance that you might get a retinal detachment;
What are the warning symptoms of a retinal detachment?These early symptoms may indicate the presence of a retinal detachment:
These symptoms do not always mean a retinal detachment is present; however, you should see your ophthalmologist as soon aspossible. Your ophthalmologist (medical eye doctor) can diagnose retinal detachments during an eye examination where he or she dilates (enlarges) the pupils of your eyes. Some smaller and asymptomatic retinal detachments are found during routine eye examination. Only after careful examination can your ophthalmologist tell whether a retinal tear or early retinal detachment is present. What treatment is needed?Retinal holes or tearsMost retinal holes or tears need to be treated with laser surgery or cryotherapy (freezing), which seals the hole in the retina to the back wall of the eye, preventing fluid from entering it. These treatments cause little or no discomfort and may be performed in your ophthalmologist's office. Treatment usually prevents retinal detachment. In some special cases, retinal tears can be observed without treatment. Retinal detachmentsAlmost all patients with retinal detachments require surgery to put the retina back in its proper position. There are several ways to fix a retinal detachment. The decision of which type of
surgery and anesthesia (local or You can expect some discomfort after surgery. Your ophthalmologist will prescribe all
necessary medications for you and advise you when to resume normal lifestyle. You will
need to wear an eye patch for a short time. Additionally, your glasses will most likely
need to be refit after retinal detachment surgery. Flashing lights and floaters may
continue for a while after surgery. If a gas bubble was placed in your eye, your
ophthalmologist may recommend that you keep your head in special positions for a time. DO
NOT FLY IN AN AIRPLANE OR TRAVEL UP TO HIGH ALTITUDES UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD THE GAS BUBBLE IS
GONE! A rapid increase in altitude can cause a dangerous rise in eye pressure. What are the risks of surgery?Any surgery has risks; however, an untreated retinal detachment usually results in permanent severe vision loss or blindness. Some of the surgical risks include:
Most retinal detachment surgery is successful, although multiple operations are sometimes needed. If the retina cannot be reattached, then the eye will continue to lose sight and ultimately become blind. Will your vision improve?Vision can take many months to improve and in some cases may never return fully. Unfortunately, some patients do not recover any vision. However, retinal detachment surgery should prevent further deterioration of the vision. The more severe the detachment, the less vision may return. For this reason, it is imperative to see your ophthalmologist at the first sign or symptom of retinal detachment. |
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