RETINAL DETACHMENT
Retinal detachment is an eye problem that happens when your retina (a light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye) is pulled away from its normal position at the back of your eye. Fluid may pass through a retinal tear, lifting the retina off the back of the eye.
What are the symptoms?
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a lot of new gray or black specks floating in your field of vision (floaters)
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Flashes of light in one eye or both eyes
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A dark shadow or “curtain” on the sides or in the middle of your field of vision
What are the causes?
Rhegmatogenous – Caused usually by aging. This is the most common type of retinal detachment and caused by a tear that allows fluid to collect underneath the retina. The retina detaches, losing its blood supply resulting in a loss of vision.
Tractional – Caused by proliferation of retinal blood vessels, which starts pulling on the retina. The retina is eventually pulled away from the back of the eye. Usually related to people who suffer from diabetes or other medical conditions that cause retinal blood vessels to grow.
“This image was originally published in the Retina Image Bank® website.
Author and Photographer: Jason S. Calhoun. Retinal Detachment. Retina Image Bank. 2015; 25718. © the American Society of Retina Specialists."
Exudative – Fluid is found accumulating beneath the retina even though there are no holes or tears. This type of detachment can be caused by age-related macular degeneration, tumors or inflammatory disorders.
Treatments
Pneumatic Retinopexy - is an outpatient surgery used for certain types of retinal detachments repairs. The eye is numbed with local anthesis and a gas bubble injected into the middle of your eye. The bubble is manipulated until it arrives at the detached area. The tear is then sealed up in the retina using a freezing probe or laser beam.
Scleral Buckle – is a surgery performed in the operating room either under local or general anesthetic. The procedure involves a piece of silicone plastic or sponge being sewn onto the site of a retinal tear to move the sclera towards it. The ‘buckle’ holds the retinal tear against the sclera, the tear is then sealed using freezing probe or laser beam. When the tear seals fluid under the retina gets absorbed.
Vitrectomy Surgery - is an outpatient surgery and involves the removal and replacement of the vitreous gel from the eye, and attach the retina with the help of lasers to retinal breaks and injecting gas or silicon into the eye to hold the retina in place until it seals. After surgery most people can go home after being observed for a short while.
When the retina is detached it does not work properly and your vision becomes blurry. Retinal detachment is serious and can cause blindness if not treated quickly.
If you think you are suffering with retinal detachment, please schedule a visit with Dr El Annan at the Annan Retina Eye Center. Please call 346-22A-NNAN to speak to a member of staff who will be more than happy to help you.
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