Patient Information

Retinal Detachment

What is a Retinal Detachment?

A Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition, an ocular emergency!  It occurs when your retina ( the back layer of your eye that processes light) pulls away from the deeper layers of the eye. 

You can have permanent vision loss if you do not get it treated right away. 

What are the symptoms of a Retinal Detachment?

A detached retina doesn't hurt & it can happen with no warning. You may notice:

  • Flashes of light
  • Lots of new "floaters" (small dark spots or threads in your vision)
  • Darkness or a “curtain” over your vision or to the side/ peripheral vision.
Retinal tear

Your retina develops a tear before it becomes detached. A retinal tear usually has the same symptoms as a detached one.

If you have a Retinal tear, the fluid inside your eye can leak underneath the retina and separate the retina from its underlying tissue, that's a retinal detachment.

A Retinal tear can be fixed with laser treatment or cryotherapy , before the retina becomes fully detached. 

What are the causes and types of Retinal Detachment?

There are 3 main types of retinal detachments:

  • Rhegmatogenous: This is the most common type, which occurs because of a retinal tear. Age usually causes it, as the vitreous gel that fills your eyeball pulls away from your retina with age related degeneration of the vitreous. An eye injury, eye surgery or short sightedness can also be causes. Patients with a family history of retinal detachment are also at an increased risk of developing a retinal detachment.
  • Tractional: This type happens when scar tissue pulls on your retina, commonly because of diabetic damage to the blood vessels in the back of your eye (Proliferative diabetic retinopathy).
  • Serous: This type happens when fluid builds up behind your retina, but there’s no tear. The fluid pushes your retina away from the tissue behind it. Common causes include leaking blood vessels and swelling because of conditions such as an injury, inflammation or age-related macular degeneration.

What are the risk factors of a Retinal Detachment? 

You're more likely to develop a detached retina as you get older or if you have:

  • Severe short sightedness
  • An eye injury (blunt or penetrating) or post ocular surgery
  • A family history of retinal detachment
  • Certain retinal conditions like Lattice degeneration (thinning in the peripheral part of your retina)
  • Diabetic retinopathy (damaged blood vessels in your retina because of diabetes)
  • Posterior vitreous detachment (the vitreous gel in your eye pulls away from your retina as a normal ageing process)

How is a Retinal Detachment Diagnosed?

At Hills Eye Surgery your eyes will be dilated & then examined on a slit-lamp or with an Indirect ophthalmoscope to see the health of your retina & for any signs of a Retinal Detachment.

How is a Retinal Detachment treated?

Treatment of a Retinal detachment may involve one or more of these procedures:

  • Laser (thermal) or freezing (cryopexy): Both methods can seal a retinal tear if it’s diagnosed early enough.
  • Pneumatic retinopexy: This works well for a tear that’s small and easy to close. Your doctor injects a tiny gas bubble into your vitreous gel. It presses against the upper part of your retina, closing the tear. You’ll need to hold your head in a certain position for several days to keep the bubble in the right place.
  • Scleral buckle: Your doctor sews a silicone band (buckle) around the white of your eye (called the sclera). This pushes it toward the tear or detachment until it heals. This band is invisible and is permanently attached.
  • Vitrectomy: This surgery repairs large tears or detachment. Your doctor removes the vitreous gel and replaces it with a gas bubble or oil. A vitrectomy also might require you to hold your head in one position for some time.

For surgical repair of a Retinal Detachment you will be referred to a Retinal Subspecialist for the necessary treatment. Most retinal detachment surgeries are successful, but you might need to have more than one procedure. It may take several months for your vision to return back to normal. Some people don’t get all of their vision back, especially in more severe cases.

A detached retina must be attended to as soon as possible, in order to save your vision.  

How can a Retinal Detachment be prevented? 

Have your eyes examined at Hills Eye Surgery ASAP if you see new floaters , flashing lights, or any other changes in your vision.

A full eye examination at Hills Eye Surgery can also detect early signs that you may not have noticed. Your eyes should be checked once a year or more often if you have conditions like diabetes or if you are very short sighted.

Protect your eyes with protective goggles while playing certain contact sports or doing certain activities, which could lead to eye injuries.