Retinal Detachments/Tears
The Idaho Eye Center also offers diagnosis and treatment of
many other types of retinal disorders including retinal tears and retinal
detachments. However, in some cases, the Idaho Eye Center may refer
patients to other specialists in the region for a particular retinal disorder.
A retinal detachment is a serious eye problem
which effects one if every 10,000 people. Retinal detachment occurs when the
retina becomes separated from the back wall of the eye. When the retina
becomes detached, its blood supply is reduced and its ability to process light
rays is impaired. If total detachment occurs, the retina becomes useless,
as it can no longer transmit information to the brain, and the eye becomes
blind.
What Causes Retinal Detachment/Tears
As part of the normal aging process, the clear
fluid which fills the inner cavity of the eye begins to shrink and pull away
from the retina. Most of the shrinking
causes no damage to the eye. However, sometimes the vitreous remains attached to
the retina and then the shrinking of the vitreous causes the retina to
tear.
Left untreated, retinal tears can lead
to retinal detachments (see blue arrow in diagram
above). Once a retinal tear is
present, fluid from the vitreous may seep through the tear into the space
between the retina and the wall of the eye. The fluid causes the retina to
separate from the back of the eye or detach (see last diagram
above). The
part of the retina which becomes detached will not function properly, resulting
in vision loss.
What are the Symptoms of Retinal
Detachments/Tears
Retinal tears may develop without any noticeable
symptoms. In other cases, the vitreous gel pulling away from the retina
may cause the patient to see flashes of light (see Floaters
and Flashes). Floaters, whish appear as black spots or lines in the
field of vision, may result from bleeding of torn retinal vessels or the
formation of small clumps of vitreous matter.
Once retinal detachment occurs, the patient may
notice a wavy or watery quality in their vision. If detachment occurs in
the peripheral retina, a curtain or shadow may appear across the field of
vision. If the area of detachment is in the macula, central vision will be
distorted and reduced. The patient will be unable to read or see in fine
detail. Occasionally, detachment occurs suddenly and is accompanied by a total
loss of vision.
Treatment
Many retinal tears can be treated with lasers or with a freezing probe (cryopexy)
and can be done on an outpatient basis in an ambulatory surgery center like the
Idaho Eye Surgicenter. Once a retina becomes detached, it must be repaired
surgically, usually in a hospital setting.
Prevention is the Best Medicine
Retinal tears and detachments are serious
problems which require immediate treatment. Persons who are severely nearsighted
or have a family history of retinal detachment should have regular eye
examinations to detect any changes in the vitreous or retina. Persons who
have suffered a serious eye injury should also be examined for retinal damage.
With early diagnosis, retinal tears can be treated before retinal detachment and
loss of vision occurs.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of a retinal
tear or detachment or another vision problem, you should contact an eye
physician immediately.
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