Retinal detachment is a disorder of the eye when the retina detaches from the tissue around it. This is a very serious condition of the eye wherein the retina can’t work properly and one may have permanent vision loss if it’s not treated right away. In about 7% of the cases, both the eyes are affected. It is most common among elderly people above 60 years of age. Males are more prone to this disorder than females. If it is treated before the macula gets detached, then the consequences are less severe.

SYMPTOMS:

A retinal detachment does not hurt. It can happen even without a warning. One may notice any of the following symptoms:

• ¨ Darkening of peripheral vision (side vision)
• ¨ Flashes of light
• ¨ Increase in the number of floaters

Other risk factors include:

• Short-sightedness
• Previous cataract surgery

TYPES OF RETINAL DETACHMENT:

• Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a condition where there is a break in the retina called as a retinal If your retina is torn then the fluid in your eye will leak and that will separate the retina from its underlying tissue. Retinal breaks are 3 types- tear, hole, and dialyzes

• Secondary retinal detachment: it occurs due to inflammation or injury or vascular abnormalities that result in the accumulation of fluid underneath the retina. In this case, there is the absence of holes, tears or breaks.

• Tractional retinal detachment: this condition occurs when the fibrous or fibrovascular tissue pulls the sensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelium.

VARIOUS TREATMENTS FOR RETINAL DETACHMENT:

• Laser or cryopexy: A retinal tear can be treated by a laser surgery which is by thermal means. Cryopexy which is a freezing technique can also be adopted to treat retinal detachment. These two methods of treatments are preferred if it is diagnosed at an early stage.

• Pneumatic retinopexy: This method can be adopted only if the tear is very small or if it is easy to close. The doctor injects a gas bubble into the vitreous space (between eye lens & retina). The bubble rises and presses against the retina thereby closing the tear.

• Sclera buckle: This is a surgical procedure in which a silicon buckle is sewed into the white of the eye which is called the sclera. This pushes it towards the tear until it heals. This silicon band is invisible and is permanently attached to the sclera.

• Vitrectomy: This procedure is used to repair large tears. In this, the vitreous space is removed and is replaced with saline solution. Depending upon the size of the tear, doctors will use a combination of vitrectomy, buckle, gas bubble or laser etc.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!

• Early detection of retinal detachment can reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.
• If you have diabetes, then you are more likely to get eye diseases. So have regular eye check-ups and keep your diabetes under control to prevent other risks for a lie.
• You may also use eye goggles if you are working with chemicals, machines or play sports that can possibly harm your eyes.

If you find any of the symptoms of retinal detachment, immediately contact free doctor helpline and talk to best ophthalmologist/eye surgeon online free of cost.