Retinal Detachment

Recognizing the Symptoms of a Serious Eye Problem

Jul 9, 2009 Ydalia Tolentino

Learn about the warning signs of retinal detachment, a serious eye problem that can lead to visual impairment or blindness if not treated promptly.

The proper functioning of the retina is important for good vision. The retina is the thin layer of tissue located on the back of the eyeball, which contains millions of light-sensitive cells called photoreceptors. These retinal cells converts light into signals and transmit them to the brain through the optic nerve. An underlying layer of blood vessels, called the choroid, supplies the retina with nutrients and oxygen. Retinal detachment occurs when the retina pulls away from the choroid.

A retinal detachment is a serious eye condition that can potentially lead to visual impairment or blindness if not treated promptly. According to the National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health , there are approximately 30,000 people diagnosed yearly with this condition in the United States.

Luckily, there are signs and symptoms that appear before this eye condition occurs. Heeding these warning signs can prevent major vision loss.

How Do Retinal Detachments Occur?

As people age, the jelly-like substance called vitreous that fills the eye’s interior can slowly start to shrink and sag. The vitreous can eventually pull free from the retina without causing further problems. However, sometimes, this pulling can create tears or holes in the retina. Most retinal tears cause no harm, but if vitreous fluid leaks through one of these holes, the retina can pull away from the choroid. A person can start to lose sight in the area where there is a detachment. If not diagnosed and treated, the condition can worsen and involve the macula or the central area of the retina.

There are different types of detachments: rhegematogenous, exudative, and tractional. Rhegematogenous detachments are the most common and occur when there is a tear in the retina allowing the seepage of fluid. Tractional detachments are caused by scar tissue on the retina, while exudative detachments are associated with injury, inflammatory disorders, or retinal diseases.

Causes and Risk Factors

Some causes that can contribute to the occurrence of a detached retina are:

• Injury/trauma
• Inflammatory disorders
• Shrinkage of the vitreous
• Extreme nearsightedness
• Eye diseases such as uveitis
• Systemic diseases
• Cataract surgery

In general, this condition occurs more often in people over 40 and is more common in men.

Symptoms of a Detached Retina

Although a detached retina may present no sign of pain, there are symptoms that people can notice. Suddenly seeing floaters, spots, and light flashes are some signs of a detached retina. Some other symptoms are blurred or reduced vision and the appearance of a shadow in peripheral vision that gradually extends towards the middle of vision.

If there are sudden appearances of this warning signs, people should go to an eye care specialist to be diagnosed and treated for this serious condition.

Treatment for Retinal Tear and Detachment

Although some retinal tears may not need to be treated, those that require treatment and have not progressed to detachment are usually treated by either laser surgery or cryotherapy. These procedures can seal the hole and prevent the development of a detachment. However, when there is a retinal detachment, major eye surgery may be necessary.

There are three surgical procedures used to repair this eye condition: scleral buckling, pneumatic retinopexy, and vitrectomy. In a pneumatic retinopexy procedure, a gas bubble is injected into the vitreous cavity, while scleral buckling involves placing a band outside the eyeball to push on the detachment. Vitrectomy is used for the removal of vitreous gel or scar tissue.

The surgical procedure used by an eye surgeon will depend on factors like the size, complexity, location, and the severity of the condition. In many cases, a combination of different procedures may be appropriate. The National Eye Institute reports that about 90 percent of retinal detachments can be repaired successfully. However, in some cases, a second treatment may be necessary.

To avoid vision loss or possible blindness associated with this eye condition, it is essential that people be diagnosed and treated before the macula detaches. People are advised to seek prompt medical attention when there are warning signs or symptoms of a retinal detachment.

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Retina