What is retinal detachment?
The retina is a thin layer of light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eyeball. Its function is like the film in a camera, transmitting the visual images seen to the optic nerve and into the brain.
The most common retinal detachment is caused by one or more holes in the retina causing the retina to detach from the eye. Since the detached retina cannot receive blood nutrition, it will degenerate and lose its function, which may cause serious damage to vision and lead to blindness.
Causes of retinal detachment
• The direct cause of retinal detachment is a tear in the retina, and the vitreous (a gelatinous substance that fills the eye cavity) penetrates into the bottom layer of the retina along the tear, causing it to detach.
• Diseases of the choroid or retina, such as tumors or vascular lesions, can also secrete large amounts of serous fluid and cause retinal detachment.
• Ocular trauma, endophthalmitis or proliferative diabetic retinopathy causes traction of the vitreous, which pulls the retina open into a hole and causes retinal detachment.
• Eyes with severe myopia (myopia of 600 degrees or more) are also more susceptible to retinal detachment.
Symptoms of retinal detachment
• Sensation of flashing lights
• Sudden increase in floaters
• No redness or pain in the eyes
• Vision may suddenly deteriorate and images may become distorted.
Prevention of retinal detachment
1. If you have myopia of 600 degrees or more, you should have your eye fundus examined by an ophthalmologist every year and the pupil should be dilated to examine the retina in detail.
2. If you notice flashes of light, a sudden increase in floaters, or partial loss of vision, you should see an ophthalmologist immediately to check whether your retina is ruptured.
Treatment of retinal detachment
• If the retina is torn but not detached, laser or cryotherapy can be used to close the tear.
• A detached retina must be corrected surgically as soon as possible. This surgery is a major operation and is performed under general or local anesthesia. The surgical method includes vitrectomy, injection of gas or oil into the eyeball, and/or placement of some silicone strips outside the sclera to directly plug the hole in the retina, followed by freezing or laser sealing the hole to achieve re-adhesion of the detached retina.
Progress and Outlook
Many patients have regained good vision after surgery, enough to return to work or move around freely. However, its effectiveness depends on the extent of retinal detachment, the duration of detachment, the complexity of retinal detachment, and especially whether it affects the macula or fibrosis. If the retina cannot be adhered due to the above or other reasons, the patient may gradually lose vision and become blind.
