Introduction

The retina is a thin sheet of light sensitive nerve tissue lining the inside of the eye. When the retina detachment occurs, the retina is lifted from its normal position. If not treated early, retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss.

Photograph showing retinal detachment with tear

Diagram showing retinal tear with detachment

Photograph showing area of retinal detachment

Tanda & gejala

Gejalanya termasuk:

• Painless blurring of vision
• A sudden increase in the number of floaters (little “dots” or “cobwebs” that float about in the field of vision),
• Light flashes in the eye.
• Appearance of curtain or shade blocking part of the vision.

Complications

Delay in treatment of retinal detachment may lead to irreversible blindness.

Treatment

Small retinal tears with minimal or no detachment may be treated with laser or freezing (cryopexy) procedures.

Most of retinal detachments require surgery to reposition the separated retina to its normal position. There are several methods in use today. The type of surgery used depends on the type and extent of detachment, and the preference of the patient and vitreo-retina surgeon.

Various methods may be used to ensure the retina properly re-attaches including scleral buckling, vitrectomy surgery with/without internal tamponade using gas or silicone oil (replacing substance in the eye after vitrectomy) and pneumo-retinopexy (gas injection into the eye).

Prevention

Although anyone may get retinal detachment, they are far more common in certain groups. These include:

• Shortsighted (myopic) people (especially high myopes, glass power more than 6 diopters),
• Those over 50,
• Those who have had significant eye injuries,
• Those who had complicated eye surgery and
• Patient with a family history of retinal detachments.

Thus, these people need to seek eye care professional opinion immediately if they have any suspicious symptoms.